Why Should I Have a Relationship With God?
Knowing God Has its Benefits
Many benefits are provided for the Christian by the heavenly Father.
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). Because of the Father’s love, he gives us all that is good for us (James 1:17).
God has provided the following benefits.
Fellowship with the Father
John wrote: “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (i John 1:3). As members of the family of God, we have fellowship with other members of that family, including the Father himself. Often Christians will call each other brother and sister. This recognizes our spiritual kinship. Jesus said, “Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven” (Matt. 23:9). When we pray to the Father and call him Father, we recognize our spiritual kinship with him.
Access to the Father
Christians can pray and know their Heavenly Father hears and will answer their prayers. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Our Father” (Matt. 6:9). He said, “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt. 6:32).
Guidance by the Father
Our heavenly Father has provided guidance for his creation. One of the purposes of Scripture is “that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished ,,,,to all good works” (2 Tim. 3:17). David said, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Ps. 119:9).
Security from the Father
When a person receives Christ personally as Savior, immediately he receives eternal life (John 5:24). By definition, eternal life lasts forever. Our security as Christians is due in part to our relationship with the Father. Jesus said, “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29). A young child feels secure in his father’s arms. The child believes his father would not permit anything to happen to him. The most secure place for the Christian is in his heavenly Father’s hand. Our heavenly Father will not allow any harm to come to us that could in any way affect our eternal security.
Inheritance of the Father
Children are entitled to their father’s inheritance. As children of God, we too are entitled to an inheritance. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Every believer has the promise of God of an eternal home in heaven as part of his inheritance.
