KNLS

What does it mean to have a relationship with God? God—the creator of the Universe—also the creator of mankind. Does He really care about what happens to the people He created? And if so, how can we know?

Scott Baxter is a Christian who became an atheist and remained one for 30 years before he began to believe in God again. Scott is a physicist who says the proof of God comes not through science, but through his own personal experience.

I came back to the Lord and suspended my scientific skepticism because I needed Him so much. I was at a low point in many different areas of my life. And so it was at that moment when I really just didn’t have the power and the will in my own consciousness to go forward. That’s the point I was when changed my mind, and was willing to suspend the rules and come back. And I find a lot of places in the Bible—I already knew of many from my childhood long ago—that there are so many places where the Lord gives His arm around our shoulders and gives the comfort and reassures us.

The Bible describes the relationship between human beings and their creator in several ways. Scripture describes God as spirit. The terms “Spirit of God “and “Holy Spirit” are often used when God is reaching down from heaven and interacting with the creation including mankind.  The Apostle Paul, in writing to the church at Rome, writes that we can choose to have God’s Spirit live in us. Scripture also establishes that God has a son, Jesus Christ, who Himself is God. The two have a father-son relationship. But the Bible teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one God. The exact way this relationship works is a mystery that’s beyond human ability to comprehend.

For a 33-year period of human history, Jesus was God in the flesh. The Bible records that Jesus spent the last three years of His life on earth ministering to people. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and taught multitudes of people about the right way to live.

From “Secret Ambition” by Michael W. Smith:

Young man, up on the hillside,

teaching new ways.

Each word, winning them over,

each heart, a kindled flame.

His rage, shaking the temple,

His word to the wise,

His hand, healing on the seventh day,

His love, wearing no disguise*

The Apostle John, in referring to Jesus, says:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

When we pray to God, we do so through Jesus. Acts chapter 7 describes the experience of first century Christian martyr Stephen. Stephen was one who loved God more than life itself.  And he cried out to God just as his life on Earth was slipping way. Verses 54 and 59 say:

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

During His time on Earth Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

When we talk of our relationship to God, we realize that there is complete harmony in the relationship between our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus.  As Jesus Himself said, “I and the Father are one.”

Our relationship to God is also described throughout the Bible is that of a Father to a child. Other descriptions are given in as well. He is described as our king, our Lord and our master. In Matthew 25, Jesus describes mankind as His brothers. And John 15 describes a proper relationship with God as one of friendship.  As an old hymn begins,

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

So our relationship with God fits numerous descriptions and metaphors. We will examine these further in future broadcasts. I’m Rob Scobey. Write to me at KNLS, Anchor Point, Alaska, USA.