- An ultimate priority in life
At the appointed time by God, for redemption of man from his state of original sin, He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to come into the world and suffered and died; death on the cross John 3:16, that through His death on the Cross of Calvary, man will be reconciled back to God. Let’s go to the book of Ephesians 2:4-5. “But God ,Who is rich in mercy, revealed His immense love and gave us life with Christ after being dead through our sins, by grace you and I have been saved. The fact is that man (you and I) have been saved by Jesus Christ through His death on the Cross of Calvary, to reconcile us back to God; to that formal relationship, God had with man before the fall and disobedience of man (Adam) in the Garden of Eden.
In the book of Colossians chapter 1:20 – ,”Through him God will reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in Heaven, by establishing peace through His blood, shed on the cross. This word of God is talking about the death and Blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the Cross of Calvary, that reconciled us with God. Reflecting on the original plan of God Almighty for man as written in the book of Genesis, was to have a good relationship with his creature man, whom He made in the image and likeness of Himself, God. Genesis 1:26, after God created man, God almighty Himself comes to look for man and relate with him, whom He loves, Genesis 3:8. If you ask me, in my own understanding, I will say, He comes to check on him, to show him (man), fatherly love, to direct him and give him (man) all he needs for his life journey.
When I talk about man, I’m talking about Adam. God has this special likeness for man right from the creation. It is because of this unconditional love, God has for man, that makes Him leave his throne and comes to relate with Adam (man). This is what I call the relationship of a loving father to his son (Adam) man. When I say man, in this context, I’m referring to both men and women. This relationship has been God’s wish and desire for man right from the beginning. But due to the “fall of man”, man’s disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden, man lost that privilege of God coming to relate, and have relationship with him, His creature. Even after the fall of man, God did not leave man to perish, because of his sin of disobedience, also called original sin.
God in His infinite goodness and love for man decided to redeem him from his fall of original sin. Now, the truth here is that we are already saved by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, which is a special Grace, God lavished on man. But we being saved, doesn’t just stop there. Friend, we have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling as the word of God says. We have to put more effort in building a good relationship with our maker, God almighty, coming closer to Him as in Jeremiah 29:12-14, forsaking our sins, asking for His grace not to sin again, reading our Bible every day to know more about God and how to build an intimate relationship with Him; furthermore, not forsaking the gathering of brethren, not missing out in Church services, programmes and Masses (the most effective prayer, sacrifice), and making yourself available for the work and service of God in the church and humanity.
Jeremiah 29: 14, says, “When you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me, and when you search for me with all your heart. I will let you find me, declares the lord”. What this passage is telling us, is what I mentioned earlier, building a good relationship with God. So, in this regard, let us strive to come closer to God, which in turn, paves way for God’s purpose of creating us and His perfect plan for us. Let us go to the book of John 14:23b, which says “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him; and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
Another passage in the Bible, as regards to relationship with God, is in the book of Revelation, 3: 20; look, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my call and opens the door, God will come into him and have support with him, and he with me”. God stands at the door of our hearts (after he reconciled man to Himself, through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary). In my own understanding, God is ever ready to welcome us back to Himself, as He did to the prodigal son in Luke 15:11- 32. If only we can take that bold decision to come closer to God and have a good relationship with Him today, every other thing will be added to us.
Benefits of having a good relationship with God almighty your Maker
- Maximum protection from God both spiritually, physically and otherwise. Psalms 91:1-16
- 2. Peace that the world cannot give will abide in you, regardless of any circumstances that might come your way.
- 3. The Holy Spirit will come and live in you with all His gifts and fruits, as the book of 1Corinthians 12:4-11.
- 4. Escaping the world’s corruption and defilement will be assured, though with our corporation with God. So many uncountable graces, which God bestows, on his children, will also come to us.
Ways of building a good and lasting relationship with God
1. Number one step, is taking a decision that I’m from God and I will walk with God, regardless of the circumstances and situations around me. Being determined in working towards your decision.
2. Avoiding sin (sin separates us from God). You can ask God for the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit to overcome.
3. To pray, learn to talk to God, your Father through prayer, fasting/alms giving, attending masses as regularly as possible, because it is the highest form of prayer.
4. Making use of sacraments in the Church, especially the sacrament of Reconciliation.
5. Reading the word of God every day, meditating on them. It is in this part that you discover passages you can use to pray.
May God almighty in his infinite mercy help us to build a good and lasting relationship with Him. May He protect, guide, direct and bless us always. Amen.
Prayer
Almighty Father, thank you for all the things you have done for me, past, present and future. I am very grateful. I’m very sorry in anyway I have offended you, look upon me with mercy, come and take absolute control of every situation in my life. Help me to persevere till the end, so I can win the crown of glory, for in Jesus most precious name I have prayed. Thank you Father for answered prayers. Amen Shalom!
• Chioma Juliet Nwodo is a parishioner of the Catholic Church of Visitation, Festac, Lagos.
