Personal Relationship 
By Mike Rule

In the marriage relationship that Becky and I share, there are some things that would make no sense to anyone but us. Things like 8 beeps; PSABS; and 122443. Those things are probably senseless to you, but they mean a lot to her and me. There are also a lot of other things that she and I share that are quite frankly no one’s business. Nonetheless, they are significant to us whether anyone else understands or not.

So it is in my walk with God. There are things that God and I share that are no one’s business. They are intimate between Him and me. If I did share many of them, they would likely make little sense to you anyway. It is even more likely that they would be misunderstood, and wrong judgments would be made as a result.

A personal relationship with Jesus is exactly that – personal. There are overall characterizations that will become evident as a result of that relationship, but nowhere in scripture does God demand “full disclosure” of what is intimate between God and man. We do not have the right to demand to know every detail of a married couple’s intimate encounters, nor do we have the right to demand to know each intimate detail of a person’s relationship with Jesus. (See John 21:21, 22)

Jesus modeled this for us. Yes, He was very open with others in His relationship with His Father. However, He didn’t disclose His intimacy upon DEMAND; He shared only as He was led by the Father. It is interesting that those who got the most intimate disclosure were those who weren’t necessarily looking for it. They were interested in Jesus because they wanted to know Him, not because they wanted something from Him or because they were nosey.

A life built on intimacy with Christ becomes more and more characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, openness, honesty and humility as a person becomes more fully formed into the image of Christ. Be encouraged that a personal relationship is exactly that – personal. Work out your OWN salvation with fear and trembling. Know Him. Follow Him. Everything else will flow out from Him according to His timing.

Verses for Reflection:

“It is clear, then, that God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was not based on obedience to God’s law, but on the new relationship with God that comes by faith.” Romans 4:13

“For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God.” Romans 5:10

“God purchased you at a high price. Don’t be enslaved by the world (i.e. don’t become slaves of people). So, dear brothers and sisters, whatever situation you were in when you became a believer, stay there in your new relationship with God.” 1 Corinthians 7:23&24

“So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect (mature) in their relationship to Christ. I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.” Colossians 1:28&29