How to have a relationship with God?

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We say salvation is not based on religion but on a relationship with God. This is a prevalent cliché among Christians, but what does it mean? First, let us check on the definition of the word religion. Generally, it is defined as the belief in and worship of the overall controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. This is why in a survey or application form that requires us to indicate our belief, we usually answer on the basis that it is inquiring about our faith. So we normally write Christian. Now, this is confusing to a layman who ordinarily understands the Christian cliché to mean the belief in god. For our purpose let us check out the scripture to see what it says about the matter.

Based on genealogical considerations, from the time of Adam to the time of Moses (ancients), a period of about 2,500 years between, we will find none written in the scripture of any system of belief in God, likened to the traditional Judaism religion that was established through Moses (Old Covenant), whereof the Law was given. Hence, we could say that what exists then is simply faith [in God]. Note, that from the time that the Church (Body of Christ) was founded through the New Covenant, Judaism persists as the religion of the Jews till now. However, the Church founded by Christ through the apostles was not placed under the Law. What subsists in the church is the same condition before the time of Moses from the time of Adam, which is faith. The church period is of the same period as well, from its inception to the present time or from the start-off date of the New Covenant (death of Christ on the cross) about 2,000 years ago today, and still running. On the other hand, considering the period provided for the [Mosaic] Law, the timeframe between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, which rendered the former null and void, would show that the Law was only in effect for about 1,500 years.

Thus today it is said that anyone who has the same faith as Abraham––about 400 years earlier than Moses––shall be granted the inheritance that was promised to the Seed of Abraham as co-heir. I believe we can make our deductions on this premise alone concerning the cliché.

Even at the time of Adam when he had sons, there was already a distinction between those who have faith and those who have none. We will see this in the story of Cain and Abel, both of whom the scripture says are worshipers of God (Genesis 4:1-8). Whereas Abel has faith (Hebrews 11:6) and Cain has none, based on the acceptability of their offerings--the offering which pleased Him was from Abel. It is not exactly clear why God treated Cain's offering with disdain, but what is clear, however, was that Cain's heart was not right with God. (Genesis 4:7) This perhaps was the reason, hence in a meeting, Cain was told, you must master sin.

There was also a notable descendant of Adam in those times, about the fifth generation, named Enoch (Hebrews 11:5). He is described as a pleaser of God for having walked faithfully with Him, (Genesis 5:22) in comparison to his peers.

Moving on, about 600 years after Adam, there was a man named Noah, an obedient servant of God who found favor with Him amid a sinful world. He is well-known for building an ark that preserved himself and his family during the flood (Genesis 6:7-9). Scripture tells us he is a righteous man, hence, God saved Noah among the evil generation of his time that died in the flood, as one who walked as Enoch did.

Then came Abraham, the father of faith. To whom the seed, his natural descendant, who is to come shall receive the eternal inheritance. His faith was made complete with what he did as God had commanded him. Hence, he was declared righteous. Thus it is written that anyone, having the same faith as that of Abraham, is co-heir (the object of the cliché) with the seed who is Christ.

Taking these all into account, we can, therefore, say that those who have a relationship with God, are those whose faith was completed with what they did by the will of God; hence holy and righteous men, like the ancients who walked with God before them.

For further reading, choose The Doctrine of Election from the posts on display below. (Tap... See all)