Closer Relationship with Christ
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:8
Paul reveals that there is nothing in the world that compares to knowing Christ, and this verse should inspire us to have a continuous closer relationship with Christ. We can a closer relationship with Christ, all we need is the desire, and pray to be close to Christ.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John12:26) To have close relationship with Christ we do our best to follow him through the Spirit, and we will be honored by God just as Paul was honored by God. The blessings from Heaven that continuously feed our soul, are better than anything from the world.
We are spiritual people because life is in our spirit, and the body without our spirit, is dead. The body without the spirit is dead, (James 2:26) We can never have lasting contentment through the flesh, because everything in creation is temporary, except our soul, which is our thoughts, personality, and will. If the spiritual person that we are is never satisfied, we will be chasing things of the world to our dying day. Only God can give us lasting contentment and satisfaction in all situations.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:11-13) Paul lived to serve Christ for many years, and is spirit was filled with blessings from Heaven. When our spirit is filled with God’s blessings, we are close to Christ, and we desire to leave this earth to be with the Father and the Son.
If we have the desire to be closer to Christ, read the Word and seek to serve Christ through the Spirit. To have a close relationship with Christ we need God to change our hearts so we can fully understand Christ’s emotions. (James 1:22) Our hearts are changed as we do what the Word says, being a Light to people in accordance to how God leads us. Our hearts get filled with God’s love, peace, and joy, that never goes always as we continue to serve Christ. This develops a close relationship with Christ, because we depend on Christ, the Word, and prayer to minister to the world.
The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) This verse tells us that our hearts must change so we can be like Jesus, because God looks at our hearts, which reveals our true self and our motivation. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, (Romans 8;29) All who accept Christ are being molded by God to conform to the image of his Son.
Today seek to become more like Jesus in your thoughts, Words, and actions, and pray for the Lord’s divine help.
Prayer: Lord guide me in the Spirit and make me more like Jesus, so I can have closer relationship with Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.