After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “… Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” –John 17:1, 3
Jesus Is My Homie
“Jesus is my homie,” she said. My new Canadian friend talked about the grace of God along with Native American spirits, chakras, and angels. As I listened, I wondered if she knew what Deuteronomy 5:9 says: “the Lord is a jealous God.”
Like my friend, many people are drawn to the grace of Jesus, but they don’t accept that He’s the “Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). In fact, today, the word truth conjures up deep emotions in people—mostly anger. But that’s who Jesus is: One who’s “full of grace and truth,” and it’s His love and honesty that build true relationship with us.
Real Relationship with God
When Jesus met the woman at the well, she was surprised He’d speak to her, a Samaritan (Jews typically didn’t associate with them). Yet His grace drew her into an honest conversation: “whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst” (John 4:14). Then Jesus spoke truth to her: “You have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband” (John 4:18). Her Savior knew that speaking “truth would set [her] free” (John 8:32).
A real relationship with God begins when we embrace His grace and truth. We must repent and surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and receive Him as our Lord, because everyone’s relationship with God begins with Jesus. “And when [we believe], [we are] marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). God’s gift of forgiveness and new life are found in Jesus alone (John 14:6).
Knowing Him personally is what God’s all about. Yes, the Father sent Jesus to save us, but He also wants to know us. Intimacy with God is possible when we understand His love for us. If we haven’t experienced God’s love, we’ll never trust Him. When we ask the Father to show us His love, He’s faithful to rescue us and reveal His love for us (Ephesians 3:14–19).
Our Part in Knowing God Personally
Our part is simple: ask, seek, and knock. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened … Your Father who is in heaven [gives] what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:7-8, 11). Relationship with God is built on who He is—our Father, Savior, and Friend—and on what we need.
Knowing God personally is truly the best adventure. My Canadian friend shared recently, “I knew about Jesus, but I never knew Him until now. He’s wonderful!”
Three thousand years ago, King David described his wonderful relationship with God: “Thy lovingkindness is better than life” (Psalm 63:3). Ask and the same will be given to you today. Seek Him in Scripture and prayer. Knock and He will open doors to revelation and freedom. Then, thank Jesus for His work at the cross, because He’s the one who makes all this possible!
Additional Resources
Learn More About What We Believe at Gateway.
Learn More About Baptism at Gateway.