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CHRIST JESUS loves to have a relationship with all His disciples. He therefore makes steps to enjoying this relationship available.
A careful study of the Bible helps us to identify three unique steps a Christian must take to enjoy deepest relationship with Jesus Christ. A Christian progresses from one step to another as they grow in their relationship with Christ.
Believing In Jesus
The first step a person must take to have a relationship with Christ is by BELIEVING in Him. The Lord makes this step available to every human being through the preaching of the Gospel.
“…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame” (Romans 10:9-11)
“And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31),
Many Christians are currently at the first step of believing in Jesus. The relationship such Christians have with Christ may be described as deep. And there are other Christians who have progressed from believing in Jesus to knowing Him For instance, Paul believed and knew Jesus Christ. He first believed in Jesus and later knew Him. This takes us to our next step which is step two.
Knowing Jesus Christ
As already stated, people believe in Jesus through the preaching of the Gospel, but know Him through supernatural encounters such as dreams, visions and trances, Believing leads to seeing or knowing.
In John 11:40, the Lord Jesus points out that those who believe will see. To see is to know. Thus, we see Jesus or get to know Jesus after believing in Him. However, we do not know Jesus before we believe in Him.
Paul did not only believe in Jesus but also knew Him. He confessed this truth to Timothy in a letter. “But I am not ashamed, for I KNOW whom I have BELIEVED…” (2 Timothy 1:12). In his books, Paul narrates the numerous encounters he had with Christ Jesus.
Christians who have progressed from believing in Jesus to knowing Him may be said to stand in a deeper relationship with Him. Such children of God are strong in their faith, considering the supernatural encounters they have had with Christ. It is therefore difficult to overthrow the faith of such Christians.
Becoming like Jesus Christ
The third step of enjoying unique relationship with Jesus is BECOMING like Him. This is the final step where we enjoy deepest relationship with Christ. Thus, it is the climax of our walk with the Lord. Yes, all Christians will become like Jesus. This is a heartwarming promise to all disciples of Christ. And we are convinced about it. Hallelujah!
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, because we shall see him as he is” (1John 3:2).
Right now, no Christian is like Jesus Christ or has become like Him. But we hope to be like Him as we are assured that we shall be like Him when He returns and we see Him.
In that day, mortal bodies of Christians will be changed to take on immortality and incorruptibility. God’s children will become like Jesus in character, glory and beauty. And we will live with Him forever.
By James Quansah
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James Quansah is the Executive Director of Christ-Conscious Leadership Centre (CLC) and lead Pastor of End-Time Christ’s Commissioners (ECC), Kumasi, Ghana. James is also a journalist by profession. He is married with four children.
