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In Christ there is neither insider nor outsider, there is neither center nor fringe, there is neither status-quo nor non-conformist! There is only the new creation.   source

Questioning your Relationship with God?

Posted June 19, 2010 - 12:27pm

How often do you question your relationship with God? Maybe you assume you don't know how to have a relationship with him because you have been comparing what you think you don't have with what you think you ought to have, and what you think you ought to have is based upon a religious world that tells you what a relationship with God ought to look like. Just remember that the relationship Jesus had with his father while on earth appeared to the religious mind as something other than godly.

But to what shall I compare to this generation? It is like little children sitting in the markets and calling to their playmates, saying, We played the flute to you, and you did not dance! We mourned to you, but you did not wail! For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man who is a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners. But wisdom was justified by her children. Matthew 11:16-19

It doesn't make any difference if one observes a strict code or else lives freely, as fleshly religious judgment always finds some way to discount and denounce those who actually come from or speak from God. If you listen to the mind of comparison, no matter how reasonable it sounds, you will always come up short. And this is true whether you plunge headlong into whatever form of wisdom wins you over — or if you merely question it. As long as you live in comparison to another you will discover one failure or shortcoming after another. Forget trying to develop a relationship with Jesus and simply live in the knowledge that you are now related to God through him.

[This Spoonful was adapted from a snippet of a recent Q&A, which you can find here: http://theshovel.net/qa/law/the-curse-of-the-law]

Comments

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by Tim P - Jun 19 2010 - 1:53pm

Thanks for the good reminder, Jim.

Tim

Re: Questioning ...

by theshovel - Jun 21 2010 - 4:49pm

It is my pleasure to remind not only you, but myself as well! :)

Jim

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by Dignz - Jun 19 2010 - 3:35pm

thank you for the encouragement ... encouragement is sooooo GOOD! encouragement in truth ... in the reality of who we are in him ... made worthy and of much value because of him having made us brand new ... a new creation ... a new life not like that which we died to, which we are no longer.

encouragement, encouragement, encouragement! refreshment that energizes the heart and mind in truth. :)

thank you thank you thank you!

Re: Encouragement

by theshovel - Jun 21 2010 - 4:51pm

The encouragement goes from one to the other in a cycle that builds the whole in this life.

Jim :)

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by Visitor - Jul 31 2010 - 6:59pm

Yes I like this reminer also. Is it okay to forward your posting to friends?

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by theshovel - Jul 31 2010 - 8:39pm

Not only is it okay, I set up a "Send to a friend" link just for this purpose. You can find it under the article, right next to a link that says, "Printer-friendly version".

Jim

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by Visitor - Jun 20 2010 - 3:33pm

Good word, Jim. I am so sick of man's wisdom, law minded believers, the fruit inspectors. My goodness .. get a life!!!! The Father's sovernity rules, The gift of Jesus has been given. I am so grateful for His life that resides in me. I don't know why I was chosen. In my old man I was such a wretch and I still live with some old dead remnants of the wretch man. I cannot explain my salvation. I have changed and I don't know how it came about But I sure am thankful. I would not trade the peace, contentment, and freedom for all the money in the world. (And I can get-off and wander and crave around about coveting worldly riches pretty quick too :) ) The simple faith I have come to know through His working in me is this: "Christ, I trust you with my life.. So whatever you bring about .. So Be It .... I trust you, Christ." That's it. My faith is like a neutral position or stance. Each day I begin the day like with, "Everything is Yes, Lord until You say No." Then I watch with anticipation what he brings into my life. I love it, Jim. I guess I got off the subject here. So Be It! : )

Thanks for your message, Bro. I anticipate your letters.

Nergo

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by Visitor - Jun 20 2010 - 11:09pm

Thanks for this, Nergo. What a name! :-)

Re: off the subject

by theshovel - Jun 21 2010 - 4:53pm

Hey, you can get off the subject anytime you want! Thanks. :)

Jim

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by Visitor - Jun 20 2010 - 7:55pm

Perfect. That's the Gospel.

Re: the gospel

by theshovel - Jun 21 2010 - 4:56pm

The gospel is perfect, isn't it? :) Thanks.

Jim

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by jjadams - Jun 21 2010 - 8:17am

Thank you! Jim, your comments and others who approve, continue to resonate with the song that plays in my "new heart". I shared some with a new acquaintance who didn't value it. It is so strange because this person confesses Christ within you and sinless perfection.I pray for understanding.
Jim A.

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by theshovel - Jun 21 2010 - 4:40pm

Hi Jim! I have found much the same over the years, as many believers have pretty much rejected this freedom out of hand. Understanding is definitely what is needed, my friend!

Jim Minker

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by luvin - Jun 21 2010 - 2:10pm

Yes Jim!

Living words of encouragement!

Hey I am also amazed at the living desire of love within you to study the old scriptures, for they have baffled the multitudes for ..ever. I appreciate this...

Speak on living one!

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by Visitor - Jun 23 2010 - 9:55pm

Thanks Jim. This is great, especially:

"Forget trying to develop a relationship with Jesus and simply live in the knowledge that you are now related to God through Him."

I was recently discussing the idea of "cultivating a personal relationship" with Jesus and how this was always confusing and always really bothered me. So this was a neat confirmation for me.

We already have a relationship with Jesus-He is our Life. No more TO DO! Yes, and forget those comparisons; that's living from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Just rest and enjoy; that's living from the tree of Life.

Debi

Re: Questioning your Relationship with God?

by theshovel - Jun 24 2010 - 3:23am

Debi, I am thrilled to hear of your growing confidence in him! Yes, this is where true living comes from. :)

Jim

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