RELATIONSHIPS
In Genesis, we read these words:
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and they shall become one flesh.
(Genesis 2:24)
In Canada, the Christian religion is believed to be the religion of greater than 50% of the population. Worldwide, about 29% of the population identify as Christian whereas almost 26% identify as belonging to the religion of Islam.
However, true Christianity is really a relationship and not a religion, so the true question is how many nominal Christians have that relationship and not just a religion? A religion is a group of beliefs and practices which people utilize in an attempt to reach and please God. A relationship, on the other hand, implies God reaching down to meet man and man accepting what God offers instead of man’s attempt to please a divinity.
In the past, religious activity has often been associated with a sacrifice on the part of man to placate or to please the gods. This could take the form of anything from child or youth sacrifice, to duties one had to preform, or chores that a person had to undertake to fulfil the requirements that please the gods. The Christian relationship, on the other hand, means fully accepting the grace and mercy [gifts] offered by God to us - an entirely different situation.
The Bible essentially begins with the relationship between two people who become as one and ends essentially with further relationship between God and man [the church] in what is referred to in this manner:
Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and His wife has made herself ready.
(Rev 19:7)
…Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb…
(Rev 19:9)
The entire Bible, in one way, is about the relationship between God and man[kind] as represented by the relationship between a man and woman in a courtship and marriage. How do you develop a relationship with God? The same way a relationship develops here between people - you fall in love and want to know about the other. You want to understand their likes and desires, to do or encourage them in what they want to do, to go where they want to go, and to suffer their sorrows with them. It’s the same with God. To get to know Him, you have to understand what He likes and do what He wants you to do. You develop a relationship with God the same way that you develop a relationship with your betrothed here. If you are truly in love, it’s not a sacrifice, it’s not a trouble but pure joy.
A relationship with God is something we should not just think about; but truly develop.
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