God has a special relationship with everybody whether or not we accept him. The relationship which is of a spiritual nature is through Christ Jesus. Galatians 4: 4-5 say when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. The relationship thus adopted us as children.
The relationship is predicated on our belief, acceptance and obedience to him. John 1: 12 says but to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. In a different rendition, John 3: 16 says for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Until we die, God keeps his relationship open to us to accept. God said in Isaiah 51: 8, my deliverance will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.
Unlike other adoption processes, Christ Jesus rather died for us in order to make us his adopted children. Romans 5: 8 says God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. As adopted children of the Most High God, he has a special relationship with us in two parts, a community relationship and personal or individual relationship.
Nature of relationship
It is a community relationship of reverence. God said in Jeremiah 32: 38, they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Read also Jeremiah 24: 7; 31: 33; 2 Corinthians 6: 16; Hebrews 8: 18. The relationship renews itself automatically if we follow God’s statutes, Ezekiel 11: 20.
It is also a personal relationship, elevated from servants to friends. Jesus said in John 15: 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. It produces eternal life. John 11: 26 says everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
It is an everlasting faithful relationship. He is our advocate till time is no more, John 1: 16-17. Jesus said in Matthew 28: 20 I am with you always. Consequently, God demands faithfulness from us. Jesus said in Luke 9: 62, no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. In this relationship, there is no turning back unlike in others.
Extent of God’s relationship
The extent of God’s relationship with us and how he does it is shrouded in mystery. God excels in all and every aspect of our lives whether physical or spiritual; emotional or psychological; social or economic; etc. Paul wrote in Philippians 4: 19 my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. From God’s riches can every need be supplied in abundance.
Jesus said in Luke 6: 38 a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. God is able to satisfy the purpose of every relationship if it will be for our good. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9: 8, God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. Paul’s statement applies to every need.
Isaiah also wrote on God’s mystery relationship with the Israelites. Isaiah 58: 11 says, the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. In order for God to continue to be our provider in this divine relationship, 1 Timothy 6: 17 says we should not set our hopes on uncertainty of riches but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Jesus also said this in Matthew 6: 33 that strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness….
God manifests his relationships first as our Father in heaven, Matthew 6: 9; Luke 11: 2; second we, as his children, 1 John 3: 2; 5: 19; and third, we as his friends, John 15: 15. The qualification for children and friends is obedience in righteousness and faith because he is a perfect God. Deuteronomy 32: 4 says the Rock, his work is perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God, without deceit, just and upright is he. God guards against what will destroy us but allows what will enhance us spiritually in mystery.
The price for God’s relationship
God knows that no human being can pay for the blood of Jesus based on which his mystic relationship has been eternally established. He has therefore enabled it for free. Ephesians 1: 5-6 says he (God) destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. We therefore need to repent from our ill ways and confess our iniquities to Christ Jesus our Saviour.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 7: 1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of the body and of the spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God. Paul reiterated in Ephesians 4: 22-25 you were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
For a closer and meaningful relationship with God, James 4: 3 says draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. God will in turn forgive us, cleanse us and restore us as citizens of heaven. His words are able to cleanse us. John 15: 3 says you have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. The apostle John wrote in 1 John 1: 7 if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. God demands righteousness in his relationship with us.
Thereafter we must be obedient to the Holy Spirit doing God’s will, not pleasing men. Jesus said in Mark 3: 35 whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother. Paul wrote in Romans 2: 13 it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’ sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Peter also said in Acts 5: 29 we must obey God rather than any human authority. The relationship is an eternal one till death or the coming of Christ Jesus. Jesus said in Revelation 2: 25 hold fast to what you have until I come. Will we lose your relationship with Jesus without guarding it until he returns?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we have ruined our relationship with the Father through our sinful nature. Please cleanse us in your blood by which we must be saved. Restore us as your friends by your Holy Spirit. keep us alert and humble to obey you till you return. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
