What can I do to build a closer relationship with God?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

If we want to feel close to God, then we should invest time and attention into our relationship with Him. A good example of this is the man described in Psalm 1:1-3, who does not follow the ways of the world, but prioritizes his relationship with God. The Bible gives us many ways to build a closer relationship with God. Psalm 145:18 tells us that God is close to all who call upon Him. The psalms are a great example of a deep relationship with God through prayer. As children of God, we can do the same thing and trust that God is listening to us, too.

Spending time with God in His Word, fellowshipping with others, and living out our salvation are also ways to build a closer relationship with God. If we feel distant from God, it is not because He has left us but because we have perhaps hurt our relationship with Him because of sin. The good news is that God faithfully forgives us and makes us righteous again when we confess our sin to Him (1 John 1:9). Building a closer relationship with God is on-going from salvation for as long as we live. As we walk by His Spirit and not our flesh, we can continue drawing closer to God.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Psalm 1:1-3 presents what a close relationship with God is like: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 145:18 says: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Throughout the book of Psalms, David—deemed a man after God’s own heart— cries out to God and prays to Him continually. When we pray, we are voicing our thoughts to God and building that relationship we desire.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Just as in relationships with other human beings, our behavior can get in the way of our relationship with God. We should therefore allow His Word to shape our desires, thoughts, words, and actions.
• On some issues, God's commands are very clear. For example, we are told to love one another (John 13:34). On other issues, God Word doesn't give us a command but gives us guidelines. For example, we are told we should not cause others to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:13). Another way we can build our relationship with God is to spend time with His people. In Acts 2:42, the believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Today, we call this "fellowship" with other believers. Fellowship also includes joining a body of believers to worship and adore God.
• Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Spending time with other believers is mutually encouraging, and we can seek to honor our Heavenly Father through investing in those relationships.
• The main reason our relationship with God gets hurt is because we sin, but the Bible tells us in 1 John 1:9 that God will faithfully forgive our sin and make us righteous again if we confess our sin (that is, agree with God that it is sin). When our sin is no longer in the way of our relationship with Him, God will have the close relationship with us that He wants and that we are seeking.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The primary influence in the man’s life should be God, not the world and what it offers him. When God is our most important relationship and we follow His Word like the blessed man described in Psalm one, we can expect our relationship with Him to flourish like a tree planted next to a steady stream of life-giving water. By conforming our lives and behavior to God’s commands, we can feel more intimately connected with God. We allow His heart and desires for us to become ours, drawing us closer to Him.

Building a relationship with God is very similar to building a relationship with any person. We need to spend time talking with Him and listening to Him, adjusting our behavior and attitudes to honor Him, spending time with His children, and confessing our sins to Him when we have hurt our relationship. Unlike people, God is continually forgiving, loving, and merciful, despite our failures. We are intimately connected to an abiding relationship with Him forever (John 15:1-5; John 10:28-29).

UNDERSTAND

• Spending time in prayer, studying God's Word, and allowing His truth to guide our hearts and minds helps us build a closer relationship with God.
• Engaging in fellowship with other believers, worshiping together, and encouraging one another to live in alignment with God’s will helps us build a closer relationship with God.
• Confessing sins that hinder our relationship with God and conforming our lives to His Word helps us build a closer relationship with God.

REFLECT

• When have you felt closest to God and when has He felt most distant? What were the circumstances related to those times, and what did you learn from them?
• What steps can you take to address any sin that may be hindering your relationship with God?
• How are you seeking and cultivating a closer relationship with God?

ENGAGE

• How can we encourage each other to prioritize habits that help us build a closer relationship with God?
• How can we help others address sin in our lives and live more closely aligned with God’s Word?
• How can we encourage others to build a closer relationship with God?