...that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. - 1John 1:3-4 (NKJV)
Why is a "personal relationship" with the Lord Jesus important? Well, there are many reasons for that. A very important one is the fact that the Christian life has a lot of private and personal elements to it--like prayer.
It's true that Christianity has a whole bunch of group activities. Camps, group bible studies, worship services, prayer meetings, etc. Wonderful gatherings that are designed and implemented to help us in arriving to a certain point of maturity in our walk with Jesus Christ while we interact with people of kindred spirits. Each of these activities serve a purpose. However, we must remember that no matter how enjoyable they may be, they are only means to an end. These activities shouldn't be our focus, but rather, our focus should be on what these activities are supposed to develop in us.
A personal relationship with the Lord brings with it what any personal relationship would--privacy and intimacy. Of course not the type of privacy and intimacy that lovers engage in. Rather, the type of intimacy that a father and his child would. A time to get away from the rest. And just spending hours on end talking with each other--enjoying each others company. Relating or sharing to each other events, issues, burdens, or joys of the day. A relationship that's warm and meaningful. This is the point.
Friend, are you active in church activities and yet feel that something is missing? Well, maybe there is. Maybe you' ve been spending too much time with other people and not enough time with God. Think about it.
It's true that Christianity has a whole bunch of group activities. Camps, group bible studies, worship services, prayer meetings, etc. Wonderful gatherings that are designed and implemented to help us in arriving to a certain point of maturity in our walk with Jesus Christ while we interact with people of kindred spirits. Each of these activities serve a purpose. However, we must remember that no matter how enjoyable they may be, they are only means to an end. These activities shouldn't be our focus, but rather, our focus should be on what these activities are supposed to develop in us.
A personal relationship with the Lord brings with it what any personal relationship would--privacy and intimacy. Of course not the type of privacy and intimacy that lovers engage in. Rather, the type of intimacy that a father and his child would. A time to get away from the rest. And just spending hours on end talking with each other--enjoying each others company. Relating or sharing to each other events, issues, burdens, or joys of the day. A relationship that's warm and meaningful. This is the point.
Friend, are you active in church activities and yet feel that something is missing? Well, maybe there is. Maybe you' ve been spending too much time with other people and not enough time with God. Think about it.
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