Lesson 2: How to Have a Relationship with God

Our most important relationship in life is with God – the God-Creator who made you, loves you, and died for you.

“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.” Romans 10:9.

Jesus wants to have a relationship with you. He wants you to be with Him for all eternity! Many people claim to be Christians because their parents were, or their country has a “Christian heritage”. Does going to church or giving to the poor make you a Christian? No, Christianity is a personal relationship with God, not a culture or a list of rules. So, how can we have a relationship with God?

“For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.
Sin is rebellion against God. I think all of us would agree that we are not perfect. Sin separates us from God because God is Holy (perfect). We cannot bridge this huge gap between us, because we can never be good enough to reach God’s perfect standard. It would be like swimming across the ocean. It is hopeless by human effort. We need Jesus to remove the barrier of sin and bridge this gap.

So, God sent His Son Jesus to become human like us, live a perfect, sinless life and die in our place.
“For the payment for sin is death. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
Jesus has already paid the penalty for your sin and offers a full pardon (forgiveness). This is a gift, not something you can earn by being good. Like any gift, it is free; all you need to do is repent, accept it and make it your own.


“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19. To repent simply means to be sorry for and agree with God about your sinfulness, turning away from it to follow Him. When you repent, God is faithful to forgive you and cleanse you completely. You leave the old ‘you’ behind and allow the Holy Spirit to develop Christlike qualities in you. God no longer sees you as a sinner heading for condemnation; He sees you as redeemed by the blood of His beloved Son, covered by His Grace, dressed in clean white clothes instead of the filthy rags of sin. Your repentance does not affect just you, it reaches all the way to heaven! “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10.

“Yet to ALL who did receive him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12. Have you accepted God’s forgiveness offered to you through Jesus’ death on the cross? If yes, then according to scripture you are a child of God. You are a Christian because of your belief. Welcome to the family!

If you have not accepted Christ, what is stopping you? Make today the day of your salvation! Do not wait! Choose accept Jesus Christ today. Pray right now, confess your sinfulness and believe in Jesus, and receive His forgiveness and salvation.

Your living relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship of your life. You will never again be alone; you will forever have someone who loves you and cares what happens in your life. You have a great many promises from Him of how He will provide for you, not just in this life, but for all eternity.

*If you were certain you had this relationship with Jesus, how would you be able to face tomorrow differently?
Suggested scriptures to read: John 1:1-14; John 3:16-18, Titus 3:3-7, Ephesians 2:8-10.