A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Intimate relationships are characterized by a close connection to another person and a commitment to his or her well-being. Acquaintances have superficial information about us, but true friends know our deeper emotions, thoughts, and desires.

God, who is perfect and holy, has always desired such a personal relationship with man, but human sinfulness made that seem impossible. We all have rebelled against God’s perfect authority and deserve death (Rom. 3:23; Rom. 6:23). But more than that, we were all born with a corrupt nature inherited from Adam (Rom. 5:12), and neither good works nor moral values can overcome it.

God alone could remedy the situation. His solution is to change our nature so we can be a part of His family. Nonetheless, divine justice must still be satisfied, and only a perfect sacrifice can pay for our sins (Deut. 17:1). God requires the death of someone without a sin nature as the payment for our debt. Throughout history, only one qualified: Jesus, the perfect God-man, who gave His life so we could have a relationship with the Father. Our friendship with God came at a very high price to Him—the death of His beloved Son.

The Father has done everything necessary for us to be in His family and experience intimacy with Him. Have you entered into a relationship with Him through the saving work of His Son? If not, make today your spiritual birthday by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. This Christmas season, discover the gifts of freedom, satisfaction, and joy found only in Him.

InTouch Ministries