How to Have a Personal Relationship with Jesus

You may have heard people talk about having a personal relationship with God, and maybe that has left you with some questions.  Questions like:

Can I really know God?  Does He know me?  What does it mean to have a personal relationship when I can’t see the One I’m supposed to be getting to know?  How do you know if you’re in a relationship with God?  And what difference does it even make? 

Well first, let’s take a couple of steps back. We’ll start with what we see in nature.  In the Bible, we are told that creation reveals the glory of God. Creation also points to the fact that there is a Creator. When we look out our window and see the beauty, the design, the detail, and complexity of all of creation, we see the evidence of a masterful Creator.

All of this did not come from nothing. Someone had to create it. Just like a book on your shelf didn’t pop into existence, but rather someone wrote it, someone printed it, and someone made sure it got to you – the same is true with creation. The complex design of the human body alone points us to the reality of forethought and a meticulous Designer.

So in order to talk about relationship, we have to first acknowledge that there is a God. In the Bible (the inspired and authoritative Word of God given to us), we learn about Him. We learn about His character, His deeds, His holiness, and His love for us.

But there is a problem.

You see, we (you and I) have a sin problem. We do sinful things. We think unholy thoughts. We can be selfish and prideful. And in all this, we sin against our Creator. Because God is perfectly holy and just, there are consequences for doing wrong, and we must face judgment for our actions. Think about if someone in your family was horribly injured by a thief who entered your home. The thief was arrested and appeared in court before a judge. What would you think of the judge if he just released the thief and did not punish the crime?  You would think he was a bad judge, right?  A good and righteous judge delivers consequences for sin. God must do the same.

John 3:16-17 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” 

God sent Jesus to pay the price of our sin. Jesus lived a perfect life. He was without sin and therefore, was a worthy party to make payment. But the payment was something so horrible, that many times people have a hard time believing that someone would do this for them. Jesus allowed himself to be crucified on a cross, facing an excruciating death, and in doing so, He took the punishment that should have been ours – death. Our sin was paid for by the blood of Jesus.

But equally amazing is that Jesus didn’t stay dead. On the third day after His crucifixion, He rose from the dead. And the evidence for the actual and physical resurrection of Christ is astounding. (Take a look at the Case for Christ by Lee Strobel).  The Son of God rose from the dead and was seen by over 500 witnesses, in 12 different locations, over 40 days.

You see, Christians believe not only that Jesus died in their place and paid the penalty of their sin, but they also believe that He rose from the dead and that they will spend all of eternity with Him. That is the future for which Christians rely upon, based on the authority of God’s Word.

Though where we spend all of eternity following our earthly existence is paramount, the start of your relationship with God begins here on earth. Becoming a Christian means recognizing that you are in need of a Savior. It means not only believing and confessing that Jesus is your Savior, that He saved you from the penalty of sin (an eternity away from Him), but also submitting to Him as Lord of your life. There is a surrender that takes place. And while that may sound like a lot to swallow, keep in mind you are yielding your life to the One who set aside His glory to come to earth, to die in your place. He sacrificed Himself freely for you because He loves you!  Isn’t that amazing?  The Creator of the whole world loves YOU!

And there is nothing you can do to earn that love. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross is a free gift. We stand innocent before the Righteous Judge not because of what we have done, but because of what His Son did for us. We are found “not guilty” because of the blood Jesus shed on our behalf.

Scripture tells us that once we believe in Jesus, His Holy Spirit comes and dwells within us. He is alive in us. Sure we will still sin, but as we learn and grow, our desire is to be more like Jesus. And once you have entered into this relationship with God, you are His child. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). As His child, you have full access to Him, and He delights in you.

If you are feeling the need for a Savior, if you want to receive Jesus into your life, tell Him now. And once you do that, I encourage you to tell someone else. Tell a friend. Tell your pastor. If you are not in a Bible-teaching, Bible-believing church, find one. It is very important to be connected to a local body of believers. They will help you grow, and they will challenge, encourage, and equip you. I am so excited for you and what the Lord is starting in your life.  Following Jesus will be the best adventure of your life!