Do we really have a personal relationship with God, if so, then Why?

[PloughBoy]

I cannot find one ounce of “Holy Scripture” to fortified my personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. And if so, what is the evidence of such a affiliation have taken place. What would the purpose be of a personal relationship? Have you ever ask yourself those questions?

 

[Sue D.]

Then Why do you Have that personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I don't know what Holy Scripture You're looking at -- but it's very clear in NKJ.

The difference He has made in 'your' life as a result of the Holy Spirit's indwelling you.

The convicting power of the Holy Spirit is what makes a person aware of their inner need. And That would be as a result of Hearing God's Word from some source or another.

That personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ is what assures a person of their salvation. Which in turn assures that the person Will be with Jesus Christ at some point in the future. And That person will eventually be in eternity with the rest of the born-again believers in the New Jerusalem.

I've never felt the need To ask those questions -- I grew up in a Bible-teaching church. I experienced the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Andyindauk]

Hi Plough Boy,

The definitive Bible verse to answer your question is Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:23 NIV

Jesus goes on to explain to Judas about the Holy Spirit and how He will live within us to be as much a part of you as your arm, your nose, your kidneys.

If you want more of that experience you'll find it in prayer. Tell God you love Him, He loves to hear it. Tell Him why you love Him, what He's done for mankind as described in the Bible and what He's done for you on a personal level, from your calling, events, problems He's pulled you through, blessings and gifts He's given you... and on and on. Talk to God like He's your best friend from school, because He is. He knows you intimately and He wants you to know and experience Him on a deeper level.

Prayer is your answer.

 

[PloughBoy]

Well done “Andyindauk”. And if I have a personal relationship with GOD, Andyindauk, for those who stand by. Does that mean, I can take all of my problems, and talk To Him , just like a regular personal friend , and He is all I need. Or sometimes I need more help, from somebody else? Because he is not enough? “Andy for those who are standing by”. And thank you for making it plain.

 

[Andyindauk]

Well done “Andyindauk”. And if I have a personal relationship with GOD, Andyindauk, for those who stand by. Does that mean, I can take all of my problems, and talk To Him , just like a regular personal friend , and He is all I need. Or sometimes I need more help, from somebody else? Because he is not enough? “Andy for those who are standing by”. And thank you for making it plain.

Hi Plough Boy,

Yes, God does want to be our friend, confidante, love, guide, helper, protector provider and most of all, precious father. Too many of us treat God like a waitress, we real off our requests followed by Amen, and then wonder why God feels distant and aloof. We need to open up and share, chat, joke and of course express our adoration and affection.

Is God all you need? At a basic level yes, but He gives you more than basics, He gives you the Bible, if you want to know more about Him that's where you'll find out more about Him, how He loves each of us, His mindset, His attitude to everything, His plans and provision; I could go on and on .... Almost as important, He gives us each other. We're not a club of likeminded people or a shared interest, we're a family and when that family works, it's really close, loving and caring

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:13‭-‬16 NIV

We are a God given resource to each other to love, encourage and help each other.

Hope that helps. God bless you bro.

 

[Br. Bear]

We are a God given resource to each other to love, encourage and help each other.

that is one way of paraphrasing it, Andy


Bless you ....><>

 

[PloughBoy]

Hi Plough Boy,

Yes, God does want to be our friend, confidante, love, guide, helper, protector provider and most of all, precious father. Too many of us treat God like a waitress, we real off our requests followed by Amen, and then wonder why God feels distant and aloof. We need to open up and share, chat, joke and of course express our adoration and affection.

Is God all you need? At a basic level yes, but He gives you more than basics, He gives you the Bible, if you want to know more about Him that's where you'll find out more about Him, how He loves each of us, His mindset, His attitude to everything, His plans and provision; I could go on and on .... Almost as important, He gives us each other. We're not a club of likeminded people or a shared interest, we're a family and when that family works, it's really close, loving and caring

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:13‭-‬16 NIV

We are a God given resource to each other to love, encourage and help each other.

Hope that helps. God bless you bro.
[/QUOTE
Andyindauk; that was great, I have never in all my life heard a presentation of explanation of a relationship that is available in God through Jesus Christ made so very clear! “God Breathe” a picture that even a child can feel fresh .

I thank you, for that too! I am quite sure, many will be bless by that.
Your brother, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Sue D.]

1 Corinthians 15: 1-4 -- in order to be saved..... that Jesus is the Son of God ... that His shed blood on the cross is sufficient to take care of our sins. Nothing on our part is needed.

Romans 10"9-10 -- belief in our heart and confession made by our mouth -- Jesus is Lord.

 

[Hekuran]

The Bible never talks of a personal relationship with Jesus. Nor does the Bible ever describe either Jesus or God as a friend. Jesus describes the disciples as his friends 'if you do as I command', but it never goes the other way around.

Of course, this does not mean that God is impersonal, or that Jesus is unfriendly, but perhaps today we have grown used to an overfamiliar way of approaching God.

 

[Andyindauk]

The Bible never talks of a personal relationship with Jesus. Nor does the Bible ever describe either Jesus or God as a friend. Jesus describes the disciples as his friends 'if you do as I command', but it never goes the other way around.

Of course, this does not mean that God is impersonal, or that Jesus is unfriendly, but perhaps today we have grown used to an overfamiliar way of approaching God.

Hi Hekuran, I think sometimes we undersell ourselves. God loves us absolutely to bits, He needs us, almost as much as we need Him. He has the Heavenly arc angels, cherubins, serrapins, a whole host but yet these are not enough for Him. He needs a people born in sin who've rejected their destructive destiny, turned their back on it and accepted Him and His rescue package that He gave us through the death, crucifixion and resurrection of His son Jesus.

God is a party animal and for His party to rock He really needs guests that have rejected their inherent past and turned and dedicated their lives to Him. He wants to be the focus of our worship. Luke 14:15-23. Better than than that, just imagine a party that morphs into a wedding feast Matthew 22:1-14, for more detail of the relationship between Jesus and the Church read Song of Solomon.

I think as His sons and daughters, He would prefer us to be over familiar than under familiar. God loves us so much, He wants us to love, experience and wallow in a warm, loving relationship with Him, cocooned in His love but yet reaching out to others to share the experience.

God is not big on reverence and formality.

 

[B-A-C]

John 3:29; He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

Jas 2:23; And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

John 10:27; My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Matt 25:12; But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

John 8:55; Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

John 15:14; Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:15; Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

It seems that "knowing God", and being called a friend of God, are mentioned in the Bible (conditions are attached to being His friend).

John 15:21; But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

John 15:13; Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

[Hekuran]

John 3:29; He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

Jas 2:23; And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

John 10:27; My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Matt 25:12; But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

John 8:55; Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

John 15:14; Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:15; Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

It seems that "knowing God", and being called a friend of God, are mentioned in the Bible (conditions are attached to being His friend).

John 15:21; But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

John 15:13; Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Yes. Occasionally men are called 'friend of God'. But I don't know of any place in the Bible where God is diescribed as a friend of a man.

 

[Hekuran]

Hi Hekuran, I think sometimes we undersell ourselves. God loves us absolutely to bits, He needs us, almost as much as we need Him. He has the Heavenly arc angels, cherubins, serrapins, a whole host but yet these are not enough for Him. He needs a people born in sin who've rejected their destructive destiny, turned their back on it and accepted Him and His rescue package that He gave us through the death, crucifixion and resurrection of His son Jesus.

God is a party animal and for His party to rock He really needs guests that have rejected their inherent past and turned and dedicated their lives to Him. He wants to be the focus of our worship. Luke 14:15-23. Better than than that, just imagine a party that morphs into a wedding feast Matthew 22:1-14, for more detail of the relationship between Jesus and the Church read Song of Solomon.

I think as His sons and daughters, He would prefer us to be over familiar than under familiar. God loves us so much, He wants us to love, experience and wallow in a warm, loving relationship with Him, cocooned in His love but yet reaching out to others to share the experience.

God is not big on reverence and formality.

We're going to get into trouble here arn't we? becuase God is utterly transcendent and worth of all reverence and honour. And at the same time intimately interested in our mundane day-to-day existence.

As humans we tend to pair personal intimacy with a casual attitude that's not totally respectfrl. And we pair respect with a impersonal formality.

I love the way Jesus phrases it in the beginning of his prayer "our father who art in heaven". A perfect balance of the cosmic and personal.

 

[Andyindauk]

Jesus describes the relationship between Himself, God and the believer, likening it to friends (John 15:14) flatmates even (John 14:23) family and bride. These are just thumbnails of the wider picture, that relationship is indescribably beautiful, intimate and wonderful. Are we out of our depth in it? Well yes, but that's OK because God has provided-
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26‭-‬27 NKJV

So yes, we have an amazingly fabulous relationship with God, what title you give it doesn't matter and the Holy Spirit will guide us in keeping us respectful and reverent without losing that love, adoration and intimacy He craves more than anything.

And when we do finally go upstairs - WOW, like a child waking up in Hanley's Toy Store!

 

[PloughBoy]

That is why, in the Gospel according of John, Jesus use the “word” “Paraclete”some Original text used “Advocate”. Modern “”English translation” used the word “Comforter” in which gives a lighter touch for many people.

But, for those of us who have, a better understanding of why Jesus used the term “Another Advocate”.[Paraclete]. Because He was the 1st. “Advocate” [Paraclete].


Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever.
Jesus never said; God will send you “Another Holy Spirit”.

How many Christian friends you know, in their conversation use the word “Advocate” or “The Paraclete” sometimes, very few if any. Most of the time when I used those words, I see s pause on their faces, then I would have to stop and explain myself. Then they understood why I didn’t used the word “Holy Spirit”

Andyindauk: you have done it again! You can present “John 14” and John chapter 15” a lot better than I can!!!

 

[Tanya]

Hi Plough Boy,

The definitive Bible verse to answer your question is Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:23 NIV

Jesus goes on to explain to Judas about the Holy Spirit and how He will live within us to be as much a part of you as your arm, your nose, your kidneys.

If you want more of that experience you'll find it in prayer. Tell God you love Him, He loves to hear it. Tell Him why you love Him, what He's done for mankind as described in the Bible and what He's done for you on a personal level, from your calling, events, problems He's pulled you through, blessings and gifts He's given you... and on and on. Talk to God like He's your best friend from school, because He is. He knows you intimately and He wants you to know and experience Him on a deeper level.

Prayer is your answer.

It also says in the latter chapter of John that Jesus and the Father will also come and make their abode in the believer, so actually since the Godhead cannot be separated the entire Godhead comes to live inside of each believer. I find that so conforting.

 

[Sue D.]

@Tanya -- the Godhead / Trinity / is made up of three parts. God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit. Upon a person's accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately comes to indwell them. The Holy Spirit stays with us until we are safe with Jesus Christ. That is either as a result of the future rapture or when our physical body dies.

Each part of the Godhead have their individual 'role' in providing for our salvation and can be seen working in the Old Testament. The birth of Jesus Christ was predicted in Isaiah and fulfilled in Matthew's Gospel.

The Lord God leads / guides a lot in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came and went upon individuals. Now -- since the cross -- The Holy Spirit comes to reside in the individual and stays.

 

[Tanya]

@Tanya -- the Godhead / Trinity / is made up of three parts. God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit. Upon a person's accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately comes to indwell them. The Holy Spirit stays with us until we are safe with Jesus Christ. That is either as a result of the future rapture or when our physical body dies.

Each part of the Godhead have their individual 'role' in providing for our salvation and can be seen working in the Old Testament. The birth of Jesus Christ was predicted in Isaiah and fulfilled in Matthew's Gospel.

The Lord God leads / guides a lot in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came and went upon individuals. Now -- since the cross -- The Holy Spirit comes to reside in the individual and stays.

Agreed totally