"Does Your Relationship Measure Up?"
- Rita Larson
- Sep 8, 2023
- 3 min read
As Christians, our relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have in our lives. It is through this relationship that we find purpose, peace, and fulfillment. No relationship just grows without putting effort into it. But how do we measure our growth in this relationship? How do we know if we are truly growing closer to God? The answer lies in our understanding of the distance between repentance and forgiveness.
Repentance is a choice that we make when we acknowledge our sins and turn away from them. It is an act of humility and surrender, as we recognize our need for God's forgiveness. And here's the amazing part - redemption has already been given to us through Jesus Christ. Even before we make the choice to repent, God has already provided a way for us to be forgiven and reconciled to Him.
But what does this have to do with measuring our growth? Well, It is about the choices we make. We choose between faith and fear, prayer and worry, belief and unbelief. Our choices are reflective of the progress we are making in our relationship with God. Instead of judging ourselves based on the existence of both faith and fear, for example, we should measure our growth based on how much of each we are exercising in comparison to prior struggles. In other words, it's not about whether or not we still experience fear or doubt, but rather about how much we are choosing faith over fear, prayer over worry, and belief over unbelief. It's about seeing the progress we are making in these areas and recognizing that God is at work in our lives.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this growth process. It is through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we are able to recognize the areas in our lives where we need to turn away from sin and seek forgiveness from God. This is a continuous process, as we are constantly faced with new temptations and struggles. However, by relying on the Holy Spirit and making the choice to repent, we can experience the forgiveness and grace of God in our lives.
One scripture that comes to mind is 1 John 4:18, which says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." This verse reminds us that as we grow in our relationship with God, our fear diminishes because His perfect love casts it out. So, instead of focusing on the existence of fear, let's focus on how much love we are experiencing and sharing with others.
Another scripture that speaks to measuring our growth is Isaiah 43:2, which says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." This verse reassures us that no matter what circumstances we may face, God is always with us. So, instead of dwelling on our circumstances, let's focus on the fact that we are not alone. God is faithfully walking with us through every challenge.
Are we growing in faith and trusting God more than we did before? Are we finding comfort in prayer instead of succumbing to worry? Are we choosing to believe in the promises of God rather than being consumed by doubt? Measuring growth in our relationship with God is not about perfection or the absence of struggle. It's about recognizing the progress we are making in choosing faith over fear, prayer over worry, and belief over unbelief. It's about understanding that redemption has already been given to us through Jesus Christ and that God sees our efforts to grow closer to Him. So, let's continue to seek Him, lean on His love, and trust that He is working in our lives even in the midst of challenging circumstances. ©Rita Larson 9/8/2023
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