This post deals with the most important question you will ever ask yourself. What Would Jesus Say About Your Relationship with Him?
That’s an interesting question, isn’t it?
And in the end, it’s the only question that really matters.
Not only does having a relationship with Him impact and enhance our life here and now, but according to God’s word, having a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ is the difference between heaven and hell. For eternity…
I think you’d agree that the stakes are high, and this is one area that we can’t afford to fool or deceive ourselves.
But how do you know that your relationship with Him is real enough to ensure your salvation? Do you ever wonder if you’re “really” saved?
And if you are, do you make it a priority to grow deeper in your faith and walk with Him on a daily basis?
Let’s explore this important topic together to assess where you’re at today and to determine where you want to be in your relationship with Him moving forward.
We know that God offers forgiveness of our sins through the sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ on the cross. And that Jesus willingly laid down His life in full payment for our sins to rescue us from darkness and to secure our eternal salvation. Those things are real and have the power to save us.
The last step necessary to ensure our salvation is our faith. Faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That He paid the debt for our sins. To humbly accept His unmerited gift of forgiveness. And to make Him the Lord of our life. God offers this free gift to everyone. Those that reject that offer choose hell for themselves.
In 2Peter 3:9 scripture states:
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
So, let’s go back to our original question.
What Would Jesus Say About Your Relationship with Him?
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest, how would you rate your walk with Him right now?
Are you a follower of Jesus Christ?
Notice that I didn’t ask if you’re a Christian. The reason I didn’t is because many people consider themselves Christians because at some point they made a profession of faith. They believe that Jesus saved them from the penalty of their sins because of that. And they might be right. But according to scripture, there’s one way to know for sure. Examine your life.
With that in mind, let’s examine your life. But before we do that, I want to share a couple important things to consider.
1. None of us is perfect. No matter how sincere we are or how hard we try, we all fall short of perfection.
2. Salvation is different than sanctification. True salvation happens at a moment in time. You go from darkness to light, from judgement to justified in Christ. Sanctification is the process that God uses to conform us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ. This is a continuing process until He takes us home to be with Him.
3. If after examining your life you have any doubt about your salvation, don’t let pride or Satan (the enemy of your soul), stand in the way of asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior again. God knows your heart. He’ll never be insulted that even though you believe yourself to be right with Him, that you want to be sure. Be willing to humble yourself enough to confess your sins and ask for His forgiveness again to be sure.
Several years ago, I was a deacon at a large church in CA. After the sermon people were given the chance to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. A man came up front to pray. He shared his story with me. He was 48 years old. He was raised in a Christian home and was currently a youth leader at his church.
But he was convicted that he couldn’t remember a specific point in time when he confessed his sins to God, asked for forgiveness and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He was pretty sure that he already had a saving relationship with Christ, but from that day forward, he knew he did.
He could have relied on the fact that he grew up in and was involved in his church, but he needed to be sure. I’d encourage you to do the same. Your willingness to do so could be the difference between heaven and hell.
Okay, let’s get started with your assessment.
Is Jesus your Lord and Savior, or just your Savior?
Everyone wants fire insurance, and no one wants hell. So, asking Him to be your savior is pretty appealing. But making Him the Lord of your life doesn’t always come easy, does it? It requires us to agree with His view of sin even if we don’t initially agree with it. It requires us to walk in His Spirit and overcome sinful habits and temptations daily. It requires us to believe that God’s word is truth and that His ways are always best. It requires us to submit to His leadership and will for our life in a culture and world diametrically opposed to Him.
If submitting to Him as Lord sounds difficult or even impossible, that’s because it is, unless you’re walking in and abiding in the fullness of His Holy Spirit.
But what’s the alternative? If He isn’t your Lord, then how could He be your Savior?
John 14:15 Jesus states: “If you love me, keep my commands.”
Doing good works isn’t necessary to obtain forgiveness and go to heaven. But they’re always the fruit of a true follower of Christ. Faith plus works doesn’t earn forgiveness. But works (submitting to God) will always follow a true believer’s salvation.
Do you follow His commandments and instructions for how to live to the best of your ability?
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
John 14: 23-24 “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. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”
That doesn’t mean you will never sin. But are you convicted by the Holy Spirit to repent and turn away from that sin when you do?
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Are you a Sunday only or seasonal Christian?
You might go to church on Sundays or maybe only on Holidays like Christmas or Easter.
Are you regularly in His word?
God has written us this incredible love letter, instruction manual and plan for us and all of humanity in the bible. He also shares the bigger concepts of the spiritual battle that we are a part of and the eternal ramifications of our time here on earth. That gift allows us to be reconciled to Him, to know, love and serve Him better, and to navigate through this life with peace, purpose and direction, under His protection. It would be foolish not to take advantage of that on a daily basis!
My wife and I read completely through the bible every year and we’ve done so for over 20 years. It only takes about 20 mins per day, but the rewards have been life changing. We also read commentaries by credible and trusted theologians to gain further insights into scripture. We highly recommend doing the same.
Do you avoid reading the bible because it would challenge you or your belief system?
Do you believe what the world, culture and academia say about how to live, or do you believe God?
Do you pick and choose what you’re willing to believe from His word based upon social issues, politics or the latest cultural or scientific agendas and interpretations?
An example of this is the BLM movement. Those that support this cause say that black lives matter and wear it as a badge of honor as if it’s a unique and noble stance.
God says that all lives matter to Him. And that we should treat everyone with love, kindness and dignity. All life has value to Him. Which stance do you think is the more noble and unique? But then, our opinions about this issue don’t really matter, do they? His truth is what matters. He says:
Galations 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
1 John 4:21 “And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”
Do you love God’s son as He’s revealed in scripture, or have you created your own personal version of Jesus that agrees with your thoughts, politics and theology?
One example of this is the false theology that God is love, and a loving God would never send anyone to hell. God IS love. But He is also holy and just. If there were no consequences to sin and rebellion against Him, then Jesus’s sacrifice on our behalf would be unnecessary and foolish. And God never does anything unnecessary or foolish.
Do you believe what God has revealed about Himself in His Word?
He is perfect. He is always right. And what He says is truth no matter who disagrees with Him and His word.
How much time do you spend in prayer?
Do you find yourself praying primarily when you have a need or desire? Or are you in constant communion and conversation with Him? Do you ever pray about things that matter to Him and His plan or only things that matter to you and your plans?
Are you in community with other believers, or are you isolated?
Do you attend a solid bible-believing church? Do you have close friends and family that are committed believers that you and your family fellowship with?
Hebrews 10: 23-25 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
If you have children, are they part of a church youth group or organization?
Do your children see you reading your bible?
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Do they have a bible, and do you encourage them to read it?
Do you pray with them or ask them how you can pray for them?
Do you believe that God can heal marriages and relationships no matter how badly they’re damaged?
Do you consistently seek His will and direction for your life looking for opportunities to serve and partner with Him, or are you only interested in God to serving you?
Like a genie or Santa Claus – I want, I need.
Do you hunger and thirst after God and long to become more like Jesus?
If not, why not?
Are you embarrassed by Christianity or are people attracted to the way you live out and share your faith?
Mark 8:38 “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
If God doesn’t answer a prayer the way that you think He should, does that damage your faith, or draw you closer to Him to understand Him better?
Do you take care of the body God has given you?
1 Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”
What do books you read, shows you watch and music you listen to say about your relationship with Jesus?
There’s a war for your mind and allegiance. Do your choices reinforce Godly thoughts and principles or are you allowing satan to program you with ideas that are opposed to God? Jesus refers to Satan as “the ruler of this world” on multiple occasions (John 12, 14, 16), and Paul calls him “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4) and “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2). But his authority isn’t absolute and is limited by God’s sovereignty.
Are you fully surrendered to God?
Are you willing to concede that He is right about everything. And if you or our culture believes something contrary to His word, it simply means that we are wrong. Every single time, about every single subject. There are no exceptions.
Have you given up (or are you taking steps to give up) addictions such as drugs, alcohol and pornography? If you’re single, are you having sex outside of marriage? If you’re married, are you guarding your emotional and physical faithfulness to your spouse? Are you willing to follow God’s lead for your life if it means moving or changing your vocation to better serve Him and fulfill His purpose in your life? Are you struggling to forgive someone?
Are you a student of God’s prophetic timeline for Israel, the church age and mankind? Discovering the over 300 prophecies that have already been fulfilled strengthens your belief and hope in those to come.
Revelation 22:7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
In review, your answer to these questions are indicators that can reveal where you’re at in your relationship with God.
If this assessment has instilled any doubt of your salvation, you know what to do. Take care of it right now before going further.
If you’re sure of your salvation but have walked away from the Lord like the prodigal son in scripture, humble yourself, confess your sins, repent and turn back to God.
If you’ve been influenced by our culture, or you’re lukewarm in your faith, recommit yourself to following, submitting and drawing close to Him.
The 9 scariest words in all of scripture were uttered by Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23.He stated:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The phrase “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers” spoken by Jesus, addresses those who, despite performing acts like prophesying, casting out demons, and doing miracles in His name, are ultimately rejected because they never had a genuine relationship with Him.
The statement “I never knew you” signifies the lack of a personal, intimate relationship, not a sudden severing of an existing one. Exposing that these “followers” were never truly His disciples to begin with. Good works flow from a heart transformed by faith, they don’t serve as a substitute for it.
Now that you know what Jesus would say about your relationship with Him, how do you take things to the next level in your spiritual walk?
Prayer
Abide in Him – make Him the priority of your life – seek His will and direction for your life – bring your needs, struggles, desires and goals to Him.
Be intentional about building your relationship with Jesus Christ. Knowing Him, loving Him and honoring Him will result in your being conformed to His image. That should be the most important goal in your life. All other pursuits, relationships and endeavors should fall under and align with that goal.
Jesus commands us to take up our cross and follow Him.
Luke 9:23 “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Study His Word – the renewing of your mind – the battle is fought there
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Submit to Him – walk in obedience – choose Him over the world, culture and flesh, lusts and addictions.
Guard your mind – porn – violence – bad influences – indoctrination pressure to accept sin or lies contrary to God’s word
Become a student of God’s prophesies –- fulfilled, current and coming (Eschatology)
Prepare and long for His return – not escapism but imminence – time is short – pain and evil is temporary
Point others to Him and his message of grace, mercy and redemption
Be involved in a church community with other believers
Find tools and resources to assist building and healing marriages and relationships using biblical principles
Forgiveness
This is a huge challenge for some of us. We’ve published a podcast on forgiveness that you will find very helpful if you’re struggling in this area.
No matter where you started this journey with us today, following these suggestions will result in living a life of peace, purpose and fulfillment. Your challenges and problem may not disappear but your walk with Jesus Christ will be closer and stronger than ever. And you will be walking in the fulness of His power through the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
We hope you’ve found this information insightful and encouraging. Feel free to search our site for more faith building resources to strengthen your walk with the Lord.