Dear Friends,

To know God is to love His word. Sounds simple because it is. What a joy!

Some people feel that they have to fulfill certain obligations, or follow specific, often ritualized rules in order to be “good enough” to know God and be accepted by Him. I am reminded of the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19. He was wealthy, influential and had lived a moral life. Still, he knew that he didn’t have the true treasure of eternal life. All he wanted to know was what other actions he had to perform so that he could know God and (in his mind) be justified in continuing to worship his wealth. Perhaps there was one good work or a set of good works? In other words, he thought so highly of himself that he thought he could offer something to God in order to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him that what he truly lacked was a relationship with Jesus, explaining that one must merely have the faith of a child to enter the kingdom of God and eternal life. In other words, one must simply “believe in Him who He has sent.”

To what extent has materialism affected our relationship with Jesus and our ability to know God? Knowing God is an active process arising from our relationship with Jesus and through commitment and trust, faith, and reliance (not worshipping false idols like our possessions and property). 

I also believe that knowing God through a robust relationship with Jesus will lead to a lifestyle of worship. I don’t mean just worshipping by singing and praying at church each Sunday. I mean by our lives bearing spiritual fruit in the joyful recognition of the glory of God because who else could have produced all the splendor we experience!

Jesus said that he is the Son of God and the only means by which we can know God: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). "I'm standing at the door and I'm knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” (Revelation 3:20). What a relief to know that we are justified before God through Christ!

When did you realize that instead of trying harder to reach God through good works, you could begin to know God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? And how has the realization that you don’t have to “prove yourself” been demonstrated in the way you live your life and counsel your clients? Share your story and inspire others.

Blessings,

 

Ron