Faith Forum by Gloria Wessner - Connections Part 2

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Last time we talked about connections - relationships with people and most importantly, with God. In a nutshell, we talked about how through prayer (direct talking with God), we can have that most vital relationship that we were meant to have with Him. That “…It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come - an eternity of life! You can count on this.” (Titus 3:3b The Message)

When we are those 'new people' as talked about above, (where I've told God that I want to be free from my wrongdoings and want to live for him as I should as we talked about in the last article), then I need to know what to do next in this new relationship and learn what this new life looks like.


Having a new relationship with God is not just going to church on Sundays. It is a way of life, following Jesus 7 days a week. There are some things we need to do in order to grow in this relationship and learn what it means to be a Christ follower. How do I grow in this new connection I have made?

One of the most important things we need to do is to read his Word, also called 'The Bible.' You will want to read it in a version that is easier to understand and follow. The more modern versions such as the New International Version, The New Living Bible and The New King James Version are easier to understand than the older versions. For reading purposes, The Message is an easy account to understand. There are others, but these are given as examples. Reading some of God's word each day and studying it are essential components to growing in this new relationship. When we read, we need to talk to God about what we've read through prayer (that vital direct dialogue connection with God) and also talk to him about those around us and our growing in him, thanking him for all he has done for us.

Another important aspect to growing is the Holy Spirit – he is the spirit of Jesus who actually lives in us when we give our life to God. "If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!” (John 14: 15-17 The Message)

The Holy Spirit helps to make the headship of Jesus in my life a fulfilling and practical relationship. He constantly fills the believer with love and teaches them how to live. He will only do this if he is invited and controls only where I voluntarily cooperate. He does not go against that which I haven't let him do. When I don't cooperate, though, I lose out on what God is trying to accomplish in my life and what is best for me. The more I learn to listen to his 'promptings' in my life and cooperate with him, the more fulfilling and loving I am.

Another important aspect of my new relationship is to live in community with those who have this personal relationship with God, too. A group of believers, who are growing in their relationship with him and with each other, are vital to my growth in this connection with God. A healthy group of people helping one another to grow in this relationship, shepherded by a gentle and sensible leader (not 'dictated' to or using spiritually abusive methods to get you to do what they want), will help a person grow in this new life. That can take shape in the form of a Bible study group and/or a church where it fits for you.

There is so much more to learning about a new life in Christ and in this short article we've only but touched on some of the basics. It takes a lifetime to learn and explore most of the aspects of it. Below is a piece from God's Word that puts in a nutshell what this life in Christ is about:
“This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.” (1 John 4:13 The Message)

If you have any questions or would like some guidance in this new connection with God, feel free to write me at: gloriawes@hotmail.com, and I would be glad to talk to you.