A Loving Relationship With God – July 2, 2023

[Jesus said] “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:37-39

A Loving Relationship With God

Jesus wants us to be happy. He wants us to experience the greatness of his love and a life with God that gives us happiness that comes only through a relationship with him. That’s why he teaches that a loving relationship with him is more important than any other loving relationship we have with others.

It’s not always easy, though, to love Jesus more than any others. It is not easy to be a Christian when we are put down, disregarded, or rejected because of our faith.

It’s tempting to try and walk an easier path than the one that follows Jesus. But before we go down that way, listen to what Jesus says: “Whoever finds his life will lose it.” If our lives are driven to find satisfaction only in the people and things around us, then we will lose our connection with Jesus. And what a great loss that would be!

Jesus loves us dearly and wants the very best for us. By the connection we have with Jesus through faith, we find life—a life filled with his peace, his presence, his promise. We live with the assurance that our sins are forgiven, that Jesus is always with us, and that we can count on his sure promise to take us to be with him in heaven.

That’s the happiness that Jesus wants us to have and is worth everything to follow him faithfully all the days of our lives.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me see you more clearly, follow you more nearly, and love you more dearly. Amen.