Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
We hear and read at length about the need for us to develop and maintain a "relationship" with Jesus. The problem is that many people don't know how to do that. They feel frustrated that their (a) reading the Bible, (b) their prayers, and (c) their "witnessing" don't get anywhere. They wonder frankly, HOW do you build or maintain a "relationship" that's one-sided? "Jesus doesn't say anything to us!" And their Bible study turns out to be boring. Some get discouraged and stop trying.
What they need is Good News that is better than they have thought it is. Here are three brief points of how good that Good News is: (1) Jesus isn't waiting for you to initiate or even "maintain" a "relationship" with him. He Himself has taken the initiative to build it: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," He says ever so plainly in John 15:16. What He is wondering about is how He can build a one-sided relationship with YOU! He has made all the advances; your job is to respond--which is what it means "to believe." He did all the loving and the giving FIRST (take another look at John 3:16).
(2) He seeks to maintain the relationship through the daily, even hourly prompting of the Holy Spirit: "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isa. 30:21). "The Father ... will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God" (John 14:16, 17, GNB). Yes, that's true; believe it. He WILL stay with you unless YOU take the initiative to drive Him off. Yes, the ball is in your court.
(3) Please read Isaiah 50:4, 5. Get it? The elusive "relationship" is on, unless YOU choose to be "rebellious."
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 15, 1997.
Copyright © 2013 by "Dial Daily Bread."
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