An exerpt from a great book I am reading: “I Became a Christian and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.” The author says, “I have a relationship with Jesus. It took me a while to get to know him, but I grew to like him. We began sharing life together in deep ways. I’ve celebrated with him, and grasped for his hand when things were falling apart. I have a great relationship with Jesus. But sometimes I do life in such a way that I go without Jesus. I don’t take the time to pray or to read the Bible. I can go entire days not talking to or thinking about him much, if at all. And when I go without Jesus, I wish he were closer. It’d be nice if I could see him more. I miss him. But I CAN live life without him. Things certainly don’t go as well, but not keeping him around doesn’t ruin my life. Why not? Because we have a relationship. It’s a great relationship, but it’s just a relationship.”
Wow…never thought of it like that! I do believe having a relationship with Jesus is better than having religion with Jesus. Jesus said, “ABIDE WITH ME.” So I am in my mothers womb… and someone asks me “IF I have a relationship with my mother? I suppose I do…but it’s way beyond that. I live inside her. I can’t live without her. I am completely dependant on her. I can’t do anything without her.
So…for me…of course I have a relationship with Jesus. But it is WAY beyond that! I want to “abide” with Jesus. He is my father. His Son, Jesus is my friend…he is my all. I want to start living life with Jesus. Where he goes, I go. I just get to tag along with Him. OK…I am not attached to by the umbilical cord…but I am connected to the Vine…I am the ‘branch.’
So…it’s far more than having a relationship with Jesus…it’s…’where He goes, I go!’ I am hangin’ with Him!
I want to learn to “Abide In Him.” Read John 15