The first step to having a relationship with God, is that you must believe that God exists. It is impossible to have a relationship with any being with whom you do not believe exists.
So, how do you prove that God exists? Using the scientific method, it would be impossible to prove that God exists. Of course, using the scientific method, we con not prove that George Washington existed! Because how do you run an experiment on something or someone that permeates everything.
The proof of the existance of God lay in the examination of His creation for the underlying rules and design. This is called general revelation. He has also given us special revelation, namely the Bible.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6)
The second step to a relationship with God is to understand or believe what He has said about Himself and about our condition.
But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, toward all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, (Rom 3:21-23)
In these verses, we see several things:
- God is a righteous God. This means that He is a right God.
- God has provided a means of righteousness. This being faith in Jesus.
- Apart from the righteousness provided by Jesus, man comes up short of the standard of God.
Is it really true that apart from God’s provision we fall short? Answer the following and see for yourself:
- Have you ever told a lie?
- Have your ever stolen? Even just a small item?
- Have you ever used the name of God in a common way?
- Have you everlooked at another person with lust?
If you answered yes to even just one of these questions, then you have fallen short of what God created you to be, and you need to go on to step three.
The third step of having a relationship with God is to say about God and ourselves what God has already said about us. This is agreeing with or confessing what God has said. But what does it say?
“The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart”; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim; Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
(Rom 10:8-10)
What is it that we are believing and confessing?
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures;
(1Co 15:3-4)
The last thing is to remember that you can not add one thing to this gift that God has given to you. Just accept the gift of life and thank God for it.
so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.
(Joh 3:15-17)
