The relationships and friendship with God change a person and his life

ByPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes

Welcome, my dear friends, to „Daily Word for Spiritual Edification”! I trust you receive encouragement and inspiration when you read these daily messages.

We have been talking about many ways God changes us and different means He uses for it. One of His instruments in this area is relationships. Today let’s talk about how God uses our relationships with Him to change us and what obligations come into our life because of the knowledge of this truth.

Our God is the God of relationships, and He uses relationships to change us. Every relationship influences those that are involved. The divine goal for every relationship is for us to be changed through them, be perfected and grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

All relationships can be divided into two categories: vertical relationships (with God) and horizontal relationships (with people). Every relationship changes us. Why do we come to God? Because we want Him to change us and our circumstances. We know that God does not change, so in our relationships with Him it is us who needs to change and not Him. God does not change, because He is perfect in all of His deeds and ways:

 

 «For I proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He» (Deuteronomy, 32:3-4).

 

The Bible says that two cannot walk together unless they agree:

 

«Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?» (Amos, 3:3).

 

Can we continue being friends with God if we have not agreed with Him and are not in unity with Him, His goals, His standards and His values? Of course, not! If I want to walk with God, be friends with Him and truly feel like His friend, then I need to change and agree with His conditions of friendship. God does not change, because He has no need to change; so it is me who needs to change my worldview, values and priorities in order to keep maintain and improve my relationships with God. If I don’t want to change, then I can’t be God’s friend. If two cannot walk together unless they agree, it means that a person who can’t agree with God cannot walk with Him.

For example, if I want God to answer my prayers I need to agree with His conditions. In order for our prayers to be answered God wants to see in us the following things:

  • Aspiration to live a holy life and turn away from sins (Psalms, 15:1-5; 24:3-6; 66:18; Proverbs, 28:13; Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 John, 1:7-9).

 

 «But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness» (1 John, 1:7-9).

 

 

  • Willingness to forgive our wrongdoers (Mathew, 6:14-15; 2 Corinthians, 2:10-11; Mathew, 18:21-35).

 

«For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses» (Мф.6:14-15).

 

  • Freedom from bitterness towards your spouse and other people. (1 Peter, 3:7; Job, 42:10; Hebrews, 12:15).

 

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them (wives) with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter, 3:7).

 

 «..looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled» (Hebrews, 12:15).

 

  • Sensitivity towards God’s Word (Proverbs, 1:23-33; 28:9; John, 15:7).

 

 «One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs, 28:9).
  • Cleansing the heart of any idols (Proverbs, 14:14; Ezekiel, 14:3).

 

«Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?» (Ezekiel, 14:3).

You see, how significantly and thoroughly one’s life can change if he or she sincerely seek God and built the relationships with Him on His conditions.

So, the relationships and friendship with God change a person and his life.

 

We will continue about it tomorrow!

God bless you!

Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

Similar Posts

  • God does all things for our good

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    What does the word “all” include? Everything that is happening in your life right now! God wants to reach a certain goal; and in order to do that He uses even our circumstances. He allows particular difficult situations to happen to us in order to change and transform us and our character, to make us more like Jesus.

    What does the word “all” include? Everything that is happening in your life right now! God wants to reach a...

  • Definitely write down the vision you receive from God III

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 5 minutes
    It is only in doing the will of God that you can find protection, prosperity and satisfaction in this life. Your success is always connected to whether or not you fulfill God´s expectation for your life . No one else can provide the answer to that question except you and God. Please keep in mind, that you are personally responsible before God for the fulfillment of His assignment for your life!

    It is only in doing the will of God that you can find protection, prosperity and satisfaction in this life. Your...

  • The devil as the source of tragedy

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    You might want to ask why the devil (and not God) is the ruler of this earth. The answer is that God entrusted the rulership of the earth to humans for a time and He cannot take it back before the set time. «May you be blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men» (Psalm, 115:15-16).

    You might want to ask why the devil (and not God) is the ruler of this earth. The answer is that God entrusted...

  • How we can determine whether something we experience is God’s discipline or the attack of the enemy

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 5 minutes
    Do you often experience different hardships? Are you facing trouble everywhere you go? It can either be a spiritual attack or you are being disciplined by God Himself. How can you distinguish what exactly is going on with you? Let’s try to answer this question.A believer must learn to see the difference between spiritual warfare and God’s discipline. In different life situations we must firmly know whether we are disciplined by God or we are dealing with a spiritual attack that requires of us to get engaged in spiritual warfare.

    Do you often experience different hardships? Are you facing trouble everywhere you go? It can either be a...

  • The Church of Jesus Christ is a place of accountability!

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 7 minutes
    We walk not just before God, but also before one another. When we are willing to do the things the Bible tells us to it allows us to change and grow spiritually. We established that churches are usually divided into small groups (or home groups) so that people can care for one another more effectively.In order to receive the things we need to lead a healthy spiritual life it is important to be ‘an open book’. Then other people are able to watch and study you. If you are ‘closed up’ for other people, then you won’t receive the help you need through the home group meetings.

    We walk not just before God, but also before one another. When we are willing to do the things the Bible tells us...

  • The Word of God – the source of divine information and truth

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    The lack of vision, knowledge or useful information can become the source of destruction and tragedy. There is a saying that not knowing the law does not relief from the responsibility; not knowing God’s laws or moral blindness multiplies human sufferings on earth.Every person must gain knowledge and understanding of God’s provision; we must know what God has done for us in Christ so that we can lessen human suffering. The lack of such knowledge can cause great pain. It is like a person starving because he does not know about state aid. The lack of knowledge of one’s rights and privileges can cause unnecessary problems.

    The lack of vision, knowledge or useful information can become the source of destruction and tragedy. There is a...