“Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?”
One often hears that question; and the term “personal relationship with Jesus” is frequently heard from many pulpits. Given that Jesus went to the cross, died for our sins, and rose again so that we can have new life, it’s a pretty important concept! “Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so!”
But when was the last time you heard the question, “Have you a personal relationship with God?” Not often? “Well, we have to specify Jesus, because people have wrong ideas about who or what their ‘God’ is!” True. “And yes, God saved me; but it was specifically Jesus. He loves me so much he died for me!” But what about God the Father? And God the Holy Spirit? Do they love you? Do you have a personal relationship with them? If Jesus saved you, then you most definitely do!
You don’t have to go through the gospels very long before seeing how loving Jesus is. Jesus himself said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) But why is Jesus engaged in his rescue mission in the first place? “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” (John 5:19) Jesus loves me, this I know; but he loves me because the Father loves me!
The apostle John says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) To which one might argue, “But doesn’t the Father love us only because Jesus’ loves us?” Only? Well, Paul says,
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ…before the foundation of the world…In love he predestined us. (Ephesians 1:3-5)
How ancient is the Father’s love for us! Eons before you existed, he loved you already!!!
“OK. I have a personal relationship with Jesus, God incarnate; and the Father and I have a relationship from waaay back! But a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit?” Actually, of the three relationships, that’s the most obvious!
We only know the Father through Jesus; and Jesus is currently in Heaven. But the Holy Spirit makes salvation a daily reality because he lives in us! Jesus said:
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth…You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16)
Talk about personal!
Every time we pray, read Scripture, fellowship with other Christians, there’s the Holy Spirit, making it possible. We can’t escape him:
The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my [Jesus] name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said. (John 14:26)
The Trinity loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so!
Amen.
Andrew MacLeod