Is Your Relationship with God Growing or Going?

God's mercy ... goes before the unwilling to make him willing; it follows the willing to make his will effectual. -Augustine of Hippo, Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love

We all know that relationships change. It doesn't matter whether it's the relationship with your spouse, your children, or your friends. This is also true of your relationship to God. Your relationship to Jesus is like any other relationship.

If you want a strong healthy relationship with Jesus, it has to be maintained. No relationship ever stays the same. Relationships take work. Relationships take time. You’re either growing closer to a person, or you are getting further away. This is true in any relationship, including your relationship with the God.

You never just stand still. You don’t just become a Christian and that’s it. You’re either having your heart grow warmer every day or it’s growing colder. Relationships get hot or they can get cold.

Certainly, we all have “up days” and we have “down days”. We face temptations – sometimes we win – sometimes we fail. The good news is that God always offers to us His Restoring Grace. King David sinned against God when he had his affair with Bathsheba – yet he prayed this prayer:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” (Psalms 51:10-12)

When we blow it – when we walk away – when we stumble – God says, "You can come back to Me. I will restore you." Folks – that is God’s restoring grace. Once you have grown cold – once you have let yourself down and God down – why is it that God is willing to take you back? How can we ask Him to “Restore the joy of salvation” in our lives? How can He be so forgiving?

First of all, God’s love is unconditional. God doesn't say, "I will love you if you are – good – perfect – handsome, or holy.” He doesn't say, "I will love you because you are intelligent – gorgeous, or gracious." He just says, "I love you and that’s it – period!"

Secondly, our salvation isn't based on our performance. Our salvation is based on God’s grace – not our goodness. I could never be good enough to earn God’s forgiveness. God offers forgiveness to me and to you freely.

Thirdly, Jesus has already taken our punishment. Friends, if you are a believer in Christ, your sins have been dealt with. God does not ignore them. God does not hide them. God does not sweep them under the rug. God sent Jesus to deal with them. Jesus paid the punishment for our sin. Because of this fact, God does not reject you when you sin. Jesus has already taken the punishment for our sin. If you have accepted Him as your Savior.

Fourth, Jesus understands our human weakness. Jesus is sympathetic. He knows our frailties. He knows our faults. He knows what makes us tick. He knows how we're wired. He understands us through and through.

One of the most beautiful truths you are going to need to learn in the Christian life is: God understands what you are going through. He knows the thoughts that go through your mind. He knows the temptations that you are dealing with. He knows because He lived just like one of us, yet He did not sin.

Finally, God doesn't hold on to grudges. Many of us hold a grudge against someone, don’t we? How can I say that? Because there are some people I hold a grudge against. I find it hard to let things go, too. But look at what the Bible tells us about God: “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12)

Always keep in mind that  God is in the forgiving business. As far as the east is from the west – God removes our sins from us. When God forgives us – He forgives us completely. The forgiveness of God is displayed through Jesus. Even when Jesus was being put to death on the cross He said, "Father forgive then - for they know not what they do." When we let God down - He forgives us over and over again.

This is God’s restoring grace. He takes me back. He cleans me up – because He loves me and He loves you too. God’s love is unconditional, and my sins have been paid for. He shows His love to me, even when I still sin against Him. Why? Because He is full of mercy, and wants to show me His restoring grace!

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8; Romans 11:6; Acts 20:24; Hebrews 4:16; John 1:12; Romans 10:9; 1 John 4:19; Romans 1:16

Prayer:  Lord, I come close to You seeking to renew a relationship that seems to have grown cold. Show me those ways that I have become proud. Help me to turn to You with a humble heart. I want to spend time with You today. Amen

God bless you! 

Nikki