How is your relationship with God?

A. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND CHRIST IMPROVED...?

How is your relationship with God

How is your relationship with God?

1. Have we drawn nearer to God? - cf. James 4:8

2. Bearing in mind that a close relationship depends upon good communication...

a. Have we been faithful in listening to God through His Word?

1) Another year has gone by; did we read through the Bible this year?

2) If not, and especially if we never have, can we honestly say that we are taking our relationship with God seriously?

b. Have we been steadfast in talking to God through prayer?

1) Any effective communication requires a two-way street

2) Therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with fervent prayer

3) Has our degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased this year?

B. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BRETHREN IMPROVED...?

1. Has our love for one another increased this year? - cf. 1 Thess. 4:9-10

2. Are we any closer to one another than we were a year ago?

a. E.g., have we been in the homes of our brethren?

b. E.g., have any of them been in our homes?

3. Do we even know who our brethren are?

a. Each year brings new members into the family of God

b. Have we gotten to know them? Even by name?

C. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE IN THE WORLD IMPROVED...?

1. As people of God, we have an important responsibility toward those in the world - cf. Mt 5:13-16

a. To be a positive influence (“You are the salt of the earth”)

b. To demonstrate a better way (“You are the light of the world”)

2. Have we made progress this year in developing meaningful relationships with people in the world?

a. So the light of Christ can be seen in our lives

b. So the gospel of Christ can be communicated to them

3. Or are we like most “neighbors” in this day and age...

a. Living next to each other, but not really knowing each other?

The questions I am raising can be summarized in this way: 

Another year has gone by; have we made good use of the time the Lord has given us, or have we wasted it?

It is likely that all of us in some degree have not made good use of the past year. But at this point, let’s apply the words of Paul: 

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philip. 3:13-14).

With this attitude of pressing forward, let me suggest some resolutions... 

(Watch out for  the next topic)