There is no other relationship that is more important than the relationship between me and God. If this relationship is on God’s terms, then it is the highest of all possible connections, the strongest of all bonds that can ever exist. This is because God’s uttermost desire is to have a relationship with us humans.
This relationship actually starts with God. He is the initiator of this relationship. He searches for us and if we are willing to accept His love towards us, our life will change forever.
The heart of Christ is deeply moved not only by His creation, but also by the beings He has created. The Redeemer of the world desires the loyalty of every soul and has a special affection for those under His care. The tender concern of a mother for her wayward child pales in comparison to the overwhelming love that the Lord feels for those whom He has redeemed with His own blood.
The love of God for humanity is a topic that has moved hearts and minds for centuries. It is a love that is deep, unchanging, and all-encompassing. It is a love that has been demonstrated time and time again throughout history, through acts of kindness, mercy, and grace.
When we reflect on the love of God and His desire to spend time with us, we are reminded of the words of the Psalmist, who wrote, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand” (Psalm 139:17-18). These words express the overwhelming nature of God’s love and care for each and every one of us.
God’s love is not dependent on our actions or worthiness. It is a love that is freely given, without reservation or hesitation. As the apostle Paul wrote, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. This is a love that is unconditional, a love that was willing to go to any lengths to save us from our sins, even the cross of Calvary.
When we consider the depth and breadth of God’s love, it is difficult not to be moved to tears. This love is so great, so all-encompassing, that it has the power to transform our lives, to heal our brokenness, and to fill us with hope and joy. As the apostle John wrote, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” 1 John 3:1.
In the face of such love, we can only respond with gratitude and awe. We can take comfort in the knowledge that we are never alone, that God is always with us, and that His love will never fail us. As the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” Jeremiah 31:3.
Our Response to God’s Love
The love of God towards us is an immeasurable, unfailing, and selfless love. It is a love that has been demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, and it is a love that should evoke a response of gratitude, obedience, and a desire to love and serve Him in return.
First and foremost, our response to God’s love should be one of gratitude. We should recognize and appreciate the immense sacrifice that God has made on our behalf, and be thankful for the many blessings that He has given us. We should express our gratitude to God through prayer, worship, and a life lived in obedience to the will of God and of service to Him and to others.
As Jesus Himself said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We should strive to follow God’s will for our lives, and to live according to the word of God. This includes loving others as ourselves, forgiving those who have wronged us, and striving to live a life of integrity and righteousness.
The true object of life is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. To attain this object, we must be filled with the Spirit of God, which will strengthen every faculty of the mind and imbue the soul with an intense desire to do His will.
Communication with God
Communication with God, just like communication with our fellow men, is an essential aspect of the relationship. It allows us to deepen our relationship with God, receive guidance and direction, and experience His presence in our lives.
Prayer is the primary means to communicate with God. The Bible encourages us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Ellen White also emphasizes the importance of prayer, writing that “prayer is the breath of the soul” and that “prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Well-spring of life and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. (Gospel Workers, p. 254,4).
In addition to prayer, listening to God is also very important in maintaining a healthy relationship with Him. This involves taking time to be still and quiet before Him, allowing Him to speak to us through His word, through the Holy Spirit, and through the circumstances of our lives. As the psalmist writes, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Through regular communication with God, we can deepen our relationship with Him, experience His presence in our lives, and receive guidance and direction for the challenges we face every day.
Abraham’s Relationship with God
Throughout the Bible, there are many great examples of relationships between man and God. One such example is the relationship between Abraham and God. Abraham had a close relationship with God, and God promised to make him the father of many nations. (Genesis 12:1-3) Abraham demonstrated his faith, his trusting relationship with God by being willing to follow His instruction without a question, even if that meant to sacrifice his son, Isaac, at God’s command. (Genesis 22:1-2) God rewarded Abraham’s faith by sparing Isaac’s life and fulfilling His promise to make Abraham the father of many nations.
Enoch’s Relationship with God
Enoch is a figure in the Bible who is described as having a close relationship, perhaps the closest relationship with God. According to the book of Genesis, Enoch lived for 365 years before he was taken up to heaven by God, and that he “walked with God” during his life on earth.
The phrase “walked with God” is significant because it suggests that Enoch had an intimate relationship with God. Walking with someone implies a closeness and a shared journey, and it suggests that Enoch and God had a relationship based on trust, communication, and mutual understanding.
Often, Enoch would separate himself from the people surrounding him, and would find comfort in solitude communing with God for days on end. Thus, being recharged and regenerated, uplifted by the special communion with God, He would return to the cities to perform his duties.
The book of Hebrews in the New Testament also speaks of Enoch’s faith and his relationship with God. Hebrews 11:5-6 says, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
The only way this relationship can break down
Sin is the only way our relationship with God can break down. What does this mean? It means that the only thing that can separate us from God is sin in our life. What is sin? According to the Bible sin “is the transgression of the law.” (1John 3:4) In other words, disobedience to God.
The only way we will break up with God is through disobedience to Him: doing that which is contrary to His will.
Sin separates us from God, and we cannot have union with Him unless we overcome it there is only one power that can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and that is the power of God in Jesus Christ.
My dear friend, there is nothing in this world more important than having a relationship with God and following His will. As human beings, we were created for a purpose – to have a relationship with our Creator and to fulfil His plan for our lives. However, the distractions and temptations of this world can easily lead us astray and cause us to lose sight of what is truly important.
I urge you to take a moment and reflect on your life. Are you truly living for God and following His will? Or are you allowing the things of this world to consume your thoughts and actions? If you find yourself drifting away from God, know that it is not too late to turn back to Him.
God’s love for us is unconditional and unchanging. He is always waiting with open arms for us to return to Him. No matter how far we may have strayed, His grace and mercy are available to us. But we must make the choice to come to Him and follow His will for our lives.
Following God’s will is not always easy as it requires us to give up our own will, but it is always worth it. When we align our lives with His plan, we experience true peace, joy, and fulfilment. We also have the assurance of His guidance and protection through life’s challenges and trials.
So I plead with you, my dear friend, to prioritise your relationship with God above all else. Spend time in prayer, read His word, and seek His will for your life. Let Him guide you and direct your steps. When you follow His will, you will find that your life has a greater purpose and that your heart is filled with a deep and abiding joy and peace.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7
Remember, our time on this earth is fleeting. Don’t waste it chasing after the things of this world. Instead, invest your time and energy into building a relationship with God that will last for eternity. He is waiting for you with open arms. Will you choose to come to Him today?
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
I wish you such a close relationship with God as was Enoch’s, by God’s grace.