As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

John 15:9 (NKJV)

 

Many people believe in God, yet few have a relationship with Him.

Learn how Jesus communicates and interacts with His Father if you want a deeper and more intimate relationship with God.

Everything Jesus did and taught was based on His Father's love and approval. This is in direct opposition to the religious culture of His day. Because they were never assured of God's love and forgiveness, the Pharisees devised a complex set of rules and regulations to protect themselves from God. It explains why they were upset with Jesus for portraying God as a loving and kind Father, because their minds had been tainted by an image of a fearsome God.

We can learn a lesson here.

If our knowledge of God does not compel us towards Him, it is because we have an incomplete understanding of God that hinders us from growing a genuine relationship with Him. For example, many Christians confused familiarity for intimacy.

Familiarity is about knowing lots about God but not being drawn to Him. We rush through our prayers and our lives — without realising we are losing the sense of awe for God. As a result, it is easy to become stressed out, burned out and overwhelmed. On the other hand, intimacy is an unhurried time with God. Instead of consuming God’s Word in a few quick bites, learn to acknowledge and recognise God’s presence throughout the day.

While familiarity makes prayers and devotions feel like chores, intimacy fosters a true and trusting friendship with God that frees us to become like Christ. Those who are familiar with God often assume they can ignore God without serious consequences but those who know God intimately will love to linger and listen to Him.

As we get closer to God, we often have a better understanding of who we are and what we have in Him. In other words, intimacy facilitates our wholeness and well-being. This is the basis of true rest—for we are not coming to God to earn a relationship, but to enjoy one that flows from His perfect love for us.