God Wants A Relationship With You!

The Internet becomes a bigger part of our lives everyday, making life more convenient but also taking away the human element of living in the moment and making relationships more superficial, survey respondents told the Pew Research Center. The survey shows 15 percent think Internet is bad for society, 18 percent say it weakens relationships.

The think tank on Thursday published a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults about their views of how the Internet impacts their lives, which it conducted in January. When asked if the Internet has been good or bad for society, 15 percent of respondents said it was bad, 76 percent said it was good and 8 percent said it was both good and bad.

Respondents agreed the Internet was good for individuals, however. When asked if the Internet was good for themselves 90 percent said it was good, 6 percent said bad and 3 percent said both good and bad.

“There is considerable debate about whether people’s use of the Internet has enriched their relationships or not and whether the online environment is friendly or menacing,” the Pew report said.  - Risen, Tim "Is the Internet Bad for Society and Relationships?" USNews.com  February 27. 2012

It all comes down to relationships, doesn't it? Different types of relationships occur throughout our lives. We can't escape from them, even if we want to. Undoubtedly, our relationship with God is central to our life as a Christian.  Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Spiritual relationship is far more precious than physical. Physical relationship divorced from spiritual is body without soul." And, it is our "spiritual relationship" with God that I'd like to approach with you today.

There are many things about Christianity that make it unique among the world’s religions. One central premise of the Christian faith is that: God is a God of love, rather than a god of judgment and vengeance. Another core Christian belief is that: God is a God of grace. Though we are unable to attain salvation and a renewed relationship with God by our own efforts, God reaches out to us and saves us by his grace. Lastly, a truth that makes Christianity unique is that: it is a relationship and not a religion. Thus, Christianity is much more than simply a set of religious principles, or practices.

In the story of creation, it's clear that God created humankind for the purpose of relationship. We were created in God’s image. The Garden of Eden was a place where God could care for the crown of his creation; and we could live in a relationship with him. Humankind’s rebellion against God, and desire to be god ourselves, broke that relationship.

Our understanding of the cross of Jesus Christ is that not only were our sins forgiven (because of his death and resurrection), but that the forgiveness of our sins also opened up the possibility of a relationship with God. The gulf that had existed because of our sinful, rebellion against God has been bridged by Jesus Christ. When we begin that new life that is ours through the cross of Jesus; God enters into our lives, and establishes a relationship with us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

One of the greatest blessings that God gives us is the gift of relationships. Relationships enrich our lives unimaginably more than anything else—fortune, possessions, and career. Unfortunately, though we know this to be true, we often spend more of our time following the demands of the secondary things in life, and ignore the wonders of relationships.

Relationships are dynamic. We can grow stronger and closer in our relationships or drift farther apart. If we are going to experience the fullness of the relationships that are ours, it will take time, great consideration, and commitment.

It's the same with our relationship with God. If we are to draw near to God, and grow in our relationship with God, we need to: spend the time; make the commitment; and intentionally set about the task before us.

Ultimately, walking in God’s presence, and experiencing the relationship that we have with God, enables us to live the abundant life. Living in God’s presence enables us to experience heaven on earth.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; John 6:40; 1 John 1:9; Romans 5:8; John 14:6; Hebrews 10:24; Hebrews 11:6

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help us remember that peace is not achieved through violence, but only through respect and a willingness to listen. Amen

Praise God!

Sloane