How can I have a relationship with Jesus?

Quick answer

Because we are born in sin, a relationship with Jesus should be impossible – but He made a way through His death on the cross. Our relationship with Him begins when we place our trust in Him as Savior and Lord.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Adam and Eve were created to be in perfect relationship with God (Genesis 1:27), but they soon desired to be like God and make their own rules. Since their rebellion, every one of us has been born with a sin nature, desiring only to please ourselves (Romans 5:12). In our rebellious state, we can no longer enjoy perfect fellowship with God, and there is no way for us to make ourselves right (Isaiah 64:6). On our own, we are destined for the same punishment (Hebrews 9:27) that God prepared for Satan and his followers (Matthew 25:41).

But God came to Adam and Eve and covered their sin and shame. He came to Noah and spared him from the flood). He called Abraham out of his pagan culture) and chose him to be the father of His people, Israel (Genesis 15:5, 17-18). He chose Moses and established a system of atoning sacrifices (Deuteronomy 12:6), which ultimately pointed to a Messiah who would provide a final sacrifice for sin. Jesus was that promised Messiah who took the punishment for our sins (Luke 24:13-27), and – like the patriarchs of the Old Testament – He calls us out of our old lives into relationship with Him (John 3:16, 6:44).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Adam and Eve sinned, separating humanity from a relationship with God (Genesis 3:5-6). God pursued them and promised to restore the relationship (Genesis 3:15). He also sacrificed an animal and gave them it's skins for clothing (Genesis 3:21), showing His grace by His covering their sin at His expense.
God destroyed humanity with a global flood (Genesis 6:17) but spared Noah and his family (6:18) because of His promise to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15).
God called Abraham from his father’s house (Genesis 12:1), made him into a nation, and made a blood covenant with him (Genesis 15:17-18), promising to bless the world through him.
God chose Jacob to be the father of His chosen people (Genesis 28:13-14).
God chose Moses to rescue His people out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10).
God chose Moses and Aaron to establish a sacrificial system and laws for His people (Exodus 20:1-17; 29:10-11), showing how they were to live as a chosen nation.
God chose judges and kings to lead His people into His presence (Judges 2:16; 1 Kings 15:11).
God chose prophets to point to a coming Savior who would restore Israel once and for all (Isaiah 53:4-10) and provide a way for all the earth to be able to have a relationship with Him.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

When Jesus came, he preached repentance and belief (Matthew 4:17).
Jesus called people to be His disciples (Matthew 4:18, 21).
Jesus fulfilled the laws and promises of the Old Testament through His sinless life (Matthew 27:23), crucifixion (Matthew 27:28), death (Matthew 27:50), burial (Matthew 27:59-60), and resurrection (Matthew 28:5-6), proving Himself to be the prophesied Messiah who saves His people from their sin. This sacrifice came at His expense, despite His innocence. The Creator gave Himself for His creation to be able to have a relationship with Him.
The disciples went and preached Jesus’ words to others, bringing many to believe in Jesus (Acts 2:38-41).
Saul met Jesus on his way to arrest Christians (Acts 9:1-6), and his life was transformed. He was renamed Paul (Acts 13:9) and spread Jesus’ message to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21), telling them that Jesus brought salvation to them too (Acts 28:28). Paul told the Romans if they believed, they would be saved and have a relationship with Jesus (Romans 10:9-10). All who believe and trust in Jesus can have a relationship with Him (Acts 16:31).
By the grace of God through faith in Jesus we can be called children of God, heirs, and friends (John 1:12; 15:15; Romans 8:15–17; Ephesians 1:5). We are able to cry, "Abba, Father," to God and know that He hears us (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6; Hebrews 4:14–16). There is nothing we can ever do to earn His love or pay for our sins. His love for us provided the only way through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

A relationship with Jesus Christ begins with the acceptance of His free gift of salvation through faith in who He is and what He has done (Ephesians 2:8–9). Jesus is the Son of God who was born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:34–35) and lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15). He died on the cross to pay for our sin (Philippians 2:8). He then rose from the dead on the third day after His death (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). If you believe these things through faith and understand your need for Him then you have begun a relationship with Jesus (Romans 3:21–26

).Though it's very simple to begin this relationship with Jesus, we also need to learn the theological truths that are foundational to understanding how we interact with Him. These truths help us to understand ourselves in relationship to an eternal, loving, perfect God

.Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, all who trust in Him are made into a new person from the inside out (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:5; Galatians 2:20; Acts 26:14; Romans 6:6–11). This is a truth the moment we believe but also a process while we live here on earth. This is where the daily meeting with God through prayer and the reading of Scripture (the Bible) helps transform us to be more like Jesus. We are also transformed as we obey God's commands, spend time with other believers, and learn from sound teaching (Romans 12:1–2; Hebrews 10:19–25; Ephesians 4:11–16; John 13:34–35; 1 John 4:1–6

).

When people trust in Jesus, God's Spirit indwells them (John 14:17, 26; Ephesians 1:13). His constant presence and influence builds our relationship with Jesus as He gives us the desires and ability to live for Him. We learn to recognize His voice (1 Kings 19:12; 1 Corinthians 2:11–12, 14–16), and this changes how we react to the world, how we behave, and, most importantly, how we love the people around us (Romans 6:19–23; John 13:34–25; 15:1–17; 1 John 4:7–21

).If you have never made a decision to accept this amazing love and grace, you can do that now. You can pray this simple prayer: "Jesus, I understand that I am a sinner in need of the salvation that is only available through Jesus Christ. I accept the forgiveness of my sins which you paid for through your death and resurrection. Thank you for making me a new person and for giving me your Holy Spirit. I accept the gift of salvation given by your grace and love. Amen."Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please click on the "I have accepted Christ today" button below.

UNDERSTAND

Humanity was originally created to be in a perfect relationship with God. However, due to Adam and Eve's rebellion and subsequent sin, this relationship was broken, resulting in a sin nature that separates all humans from God.
God continually pursued humanity to restore this broken relationship, culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection made it possible for humans to be reconciled with God and have a relationship with Him.
Our relationship with Jesus begins at salvation and is nurtured through prayer, reading Scripture, obeying God's commands, and living in community with other believers.

REFLECT

What has caused you to desire a relationship with Jesus?
How does the truth that trusting in Jesus' death and resurrection the only means by which you can be reconciled with God influence your faith and daily life?
How are you actively nurturing your relationship with Jesus?

ENGAGE

How does God pursue us in order to have a relationship with Him? What are His limits?
How does understanding Jesus' sacrifice as the ultimate atonement to bring us into relationship with Him impact our view of God?
What is the connection between the things we do to nurture our relationship with God and the way we nurture our relationships with others?