Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age. Galatians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Assuming that it is possible, how do you think a person comes into a living relationship with God? Some people think it all comes down to them—a decision. Others believe it all comes down to the church—following its teachings and rituals. But this verse tells us something different.
You cannot bring yourself into a living relationship with God.
A relationship with God doesn’t happen through your experience, your disciplines, your generosity, your integrity, your compassion, or even your prayers. You cannot bring yourself into a living relationship with God.
The church cannot bring you into a living relationship with God.
The church can teach you the Bible. The church can offer you friendship, support, encouragement, and love. But the church cannot bring you into a living relationship with God.
Perhaps you have heard about a person who was raised in the church, believed what he had been taught, was involved in serving, was regular in his giving, and then in his midlife there was a crisis, and he realized that he didn’t know God at all. Don’t let this be you.
Only Jesus Christ is able to bring you into a living relationship with God.
He gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age. He gave His life for you. He can live His life in you. Right now, He offers Himself to you. This is no human invention. It’s not the spin of a human tradition. It is good news from Jesus Christ about Jesus Christ. It is the grace and mercy of God offered to you today.
Why do you think people sometimes look to themselves or to the church to be brought into a living, saving relationship with God? Have you ever tried to approach God in these ways? What happened?
