Having a Personal Relationship with Jesus

​In the middle of various denominations, preaching styles, and slight differences in doctrine, every person should have a personal relationship with Jesus.  Some beliefs can lead to heresy or not align with the Word of God which should not be followed, but this important relationship with Jesus Christ should be within the heart of true Christians.  Without a relationship with Jesus Christ, no one can enter into Heaven (John 14:6; Romans 6:23).  With a personal relationship with Jesus, every Christian should be led by God’s Holy Spirit, keeping them accurate in doctrine and having revelations of who God is through His Word (John 15:1-10; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 1:7).  Many traditions emphasize a correct action but with the wrong motive.  Going to church is not a relationship with Jesus, although going to church is a Christian discipline (Hebrews 10:24-25).  Believing that God exists is not a relationship with God, although one must believe that He exists to have a relationship with Him (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:9-10).  Having a family that goes to church does not mean everyone in that family has a relationship with Jesus Christ (Luke 12:51-53; Matthew 10:35-37).  When churches, pastors, and Christians remove their focus from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ where is the focus being moved to?  For some, it may be a social gathering that discusses a couple of Bible verses but no effort is placed on starting or maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:2).  For some, it may be a method of keeping up appearances with other people who attend to display how much money they have and what clothes they wear or to gossip about others within the area (1 John 2:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:13; James 3:5-6).  This is not what the church is designed to accomplish nor why the church is to gather together.  The church is to help every believer or non-believer who walks within the doors to start or maintain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ with the end goal of spending eternity in Heaven with God the Father (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 4:11-16).  The church is not only the building but the believers who are gathered within the building to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).  Jesus Christ came to earth to be born, to give His life, and be resurrected on the third day to give every person the choice to be born again and to know God by having a personal relationship with Him (John 3:16-21).  Christianity is centered on this important point.  If the entirety of the Christian faith is summed up in this relationship why do so many Christians not emphasize this point?  Having a relationship with Jesus will lead people to be clean, holy, and bear the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).  Some people are not ready for this due to having a stronger desire to live life according to the world’s methods and not the standard Jesus requires (James 4:4).  This type of mindset reflects a personal relationship with Jesus is not the focus or desire of this person making them, not a Christian (Matthew 7:21-23).  Being a Christian is defined as being like Jesus or being like the Anointed One (1 John 5:1-5).  A person will only be like someone else when they spend time with them.  How is your personal relationship with Jesus?  For more information about having a personal relationship with Jesus or about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.