Nurturing a Deeper Relationship with God in Christian Life
A deeper relationship with God in Christian life is characterized by an experiential knowledge of God's love and grace in Jesus Christ, leading to a life rooted in faith, obedience, and spiritual growth [5]. This pursuit is considered more vital than physical ancestry or family relationships [8], and the highest quality of life is found in this relationship with God [7].
The biblical foundation for nurturing this relationship is multifaceted, emphasizing various aspects of Christian conduct. Believing God, fearing God, loving God, following God, and obeying God are all presented as essential components [4]. Similarly, the Christian life involves believing in Christ, loving Christ, following Christ's example, obeying Christ, and living for Christ [4]. These actions are not merely external behaviors but stem from an internal transformation and a desire for intimacy with the divine.
One of the core elements of a deeper relationship with God is the indwelling of Christ in the believer's heart through faith [2]. This indwelling is meant to root and ground individuals in love [2], enabling them to "know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge" [3]. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but experiential, leading to being "filled up to all the fullness of God" [3, 5]. The Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians 3:19 explains that the entire Christian life is built upon this personal experience and knowledge of God's grace and love in Jesus Christ [5]. This love of Christ is described as far exceeding ordinary human love [5]. When Christ is present within, the believer's life is made complete, reflecting God's image [5].
Christian love, which is central to this relationship, is rooted in knowing the truth [6]. This truth is not just a collection of facts or doctrines, but the very presence of God dwelling within believers [6]. This divine presence is promised to be with believers forever [6]. The concept of God dwelling in believers and believers living in God is a special privilege, mirroring the fellowship between the Father and the Son [12]. John 17:21 highlights this profound unity, where the indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son creates a perfect bond, uniting believers with each other and with the Father and the Son [11].
Nurturing this relationship also involves active participation in spiritual disciplines. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Jude 1:21, emphasizes the importance of "building up yourselves on your most holy faith" and "praying in the Holy Ghost" to maintain oneself in the love of God [9]. He cautions that without these practices, the love of God can be lost [9]. Despite diligent efforts in these areas, Clarke notes that believers must still look to the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life, indicating that these actions do not merit salvation but are expressions of a living faith [9].
The concept of a "new birth" is also crucial for a deeper relationship with God. This spiritual rebirth, brought about by the "abiding word of God," is the source of Christian brotherhood and love [10]. Just as natural relationships foster natural affection, this spiritual relationship gives rise to a spiritual and enduring love, reflecting the imperishable nature of the seed from which it springs [10]. The word of God serves as the means or medium through which individuals receive this incorruptible new birth [10].
The pursuit of a deeper relationship with God involves a continuous process of growth and understanding. Colossians 2:2 speaks of hearts being comforted and knit together in love, leading to "all riches of the full assurance of understanding" and the knowledge of "the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ" [1]. This suggests that a deeper relationship is not a static state but an ongoing journey of discovery and intimacy with the divine. The spiritual life and relationship with God are consistently presented as paramount, surpassing even the importance of physical lineage or familial ties [8]. The highest quality of life is found in this relationship [7].
Sources
- Colossians “that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, -- Colossians 2:2”
- Ephesians “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, -- Ephesians 3:17”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:19 (LEB) — and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:19: 3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ (see Rom 12:1). • it is too great to understand fully: Christ’s love is much greater than ordinary human love (see Rom 5:6-8). • The believer’s life is made complete when it is filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within (see Eph 1:23; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). The believer then is conformed to his image and reflects God (see Eph 4:14, 24; 5:1-2; Rom 8:29; 2”
- 2 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 John 1:2: 1:2 Christian love is rooted in knowing the truth. The truth that lives in us is more than just facts or doctrine; it is the presence of God (see John 14:15-17), who will be with us forever.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 63:3: 63:3 better than life itself: The highest quality of life is found in relationship with God (see 4:7; 63:5; Prov 16:8).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 11:28: 11:28 even more blessed: Jesus again affirmed that our spiritual life and our relationship with God are more important than physical ancestry and family relationships (cp. 8:21).”
- Jude (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Jude 1:21: Keep yourselves in the love of God - By building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Ghost; for without this we shall soon lose the love of God. Looking for the mercy of our Lord - For although they were to build themselves up, and to pray in the Holy Ghost, and keep themselves in the love of God, yet this building, praying, and keeping, cannot merit heaven; for, after all their diligence, earnestness, self-denial, watching, obedience, etc., they must look for the Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, to bring them to Eternal Life.”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:23: Christian brotherhood flows from our new birth of an imperishable seed, the abiding word of God. This is the consideration urged here to lead us to exercise brotherly love. As natural relationship gives rise to natural affection, so spiritual relationship gives rise to spiritual, and therefore abiding love, even as the seed from which it springs is abiding, not transitory as earthly things. of . . . of . . . by--"The word of God" is not the material of the spiritual new birth, but its mean or medium. By means of the word the man receives the incorru”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:21: that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us--The indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son is the one perfect bond of union, knitting up into a living unity, first all believers amongst themselves; next, this unity into one still higher, with the Father and the Son. (Observe, that Christ never mixes Himself up with His disciples as He associates Himself with the Father, but says I in THEM and THEY in US). that the world may believe that thou hast sent me--sentest me. So the grand impression upon th”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 4:15: 4:15 Those who believe in Christ have God living in them, and they live in God. The Father and the Son experience this fellowship (John 10:38; 14:10; 17:21). Experiencing God in this way is a special privilege for believers (see John 14:20; 15:5; 17:21-24).”