I have a personal relationship with Jesus. This relationship depended on my realizing my need for Him. I had to admit that I was a sinner. I repented from sin and finally I asked Him to come into my life and be THE authority in his reality.
God has always wanted to be close to me in a relationship. Actually, all of us are in some relationship with God. The nature of that relationship is defined through Jesus. In the garden, before Adam sinned, both he and Eve knew God on an intimate, personal level. Because of sin, mankind became separated from Him. Being perfect, God can not have sin in His presence. In the time before Jesus’ death on the cross, people sacrificed animals when they sinned. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death.
Where to spend eternity?
What I did not realize for a long time, and at times could have cared less about is that Jesus gave me the opportunity to spend eternity with Him and God the Father. This opportunity depends entirely upon my belief or trust in Him.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
God provided a way for the requirements of His law be satisfied and yet bring me into the room with Him. Jesus took on my sin and He was punished in my place, if I accept it. If I accept this gift, God has now become attainable to me.
I ought to..
I ought to include God in my daily lives the same way I do with other member of my family. I need to talk to Him each day, by prayer. He has written a “Love Letter” to me and I ought to reach it each day. I mean the Bible. Each time I read it, I get a new application for my circumstance from it. I am not saying that I have a private revelation. I am saying this: The Holy Spirit guides my understanding for what I am reading for my life at the time I am reading it. I ought to make an effort to get to know Him better and be able to do His will.
I pray
I ask for wisdom, which is the most valuable asset I could ever have. I ask in Jesus name. Jesus said:
“You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name” (John 15:16).
Jesus is the one who loved me enough to give His life for me, personally, and He is the one who bridged the gap between me and God. And God is the one who sent Jesus to do it; they are one in the same.
The Holy Spirit is also God
The Holy Spirit is the One who “Comes along side” of me, giving encouragement and instruction “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you” (John 14:15-17). Jesus said this before He died, and after He died the Holy Spirit became available to all me when I honestly sought to receive Him. I had to seek after Him with my whole being. He is the one who lives in my heart and never leaves. He teaches me, instructs me, listens to my problems and offers solutions and has changed my heart. Without His Holy Spirit, I would not have the ability to fight against evil and temptations. But I have Him, and now I am able to produce the fruit from the relationship I enjoy with the Holy Spirit, allowing the Spirit to control me.
This fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
I trust Him to get me through each day, and I believe He is my sustainer. I saw some changes in my life immediately and other changes are still in progress.