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| Relationship with God and Man |
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Wes Mills Jan 16, 2008 4:13 PM
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I recently came across the following quote:
“If we cannot find intimacy with human beings, we do not have intimacy with God either. We’ll feel no closer to God than we do to the people around us. The quality of our spiritual life is best measured by the qualities of our friendships…Many Christians ardently seeking spiritual gifts and power would do much better to seek true friendships instead” – Mike Mason - Practicing the Presence of People
This quote reminded me of what the Apostle John said in I John 2:9-10 “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light…”
I welcome your thoughts and comments.
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Mark 16:15 Ministries Jan 19, 2008 5:24 PM
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| Although nearly impossible to separate, intimacy with God and people must be distinguished. Time spent alone with God yields benefits that time spent with the best friends does not, as Christian as they are. God being a Person and friends being human persons yield different intimacies. Having said that, there is a dimension of intimacy in understanding God with quality friendships that helps fill-in our understanding and appreciation of God. Prayer is intimacy with God, as conversation or simply silence spent with good friends is quality time with them. |
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Wes Mills replied to this comment on: Jan 20, 2008 4:53 PM
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I think the real issue is the ability to build relationship. The same skills it takes to build relationship with other people - openness, honesty, vulnerability -- are the same skills it takes to build relationship with God. |
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Mark 16:15 Ministries Jan 21, 2008 10:12 AM
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| Wes, good observation. On the basic level this is true. I would like to bring another dimension into the observation and that beginning a relationship with God has ingredients not demanded by human relationships: repentance from sin, separation from other gods, exclusive worship etc. But as you noted all relationships with living beings require trust, honesty and integrity as well as other like virtues. If we could proclaim these truths far and wide! |
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Dougaona Jan 29, 2008 4:04 AM
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| I think this quote is true. If God created man in His own image then christians should find intimacy with human beings. Realy this works. |
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Märt Vähi Feb 25, 2008 2:28 AM
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There is a lot of truth in this also when you see what kind of priority this held with Jesus when he said in Matt. 22:37-40 "...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. v.38 This is the great and foremost commandment. v.39 And a second is LIKE IT You shall love your neighbor as yourself. v.40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
By the way, I would suggest one way to build a relationship with God in a very specific and designed way is to create a prayer journal - where you not only write down your side of the conversation with Him but also wait and record His response to you. I have done this for years! Hearing the voice of God and experiencing his relationship has been the highlights of my life!
Some materials helpful in this can be downloaded and bought through Communion With God Ministries at cwgministries.org/catalog |
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Mark 16:15 Ministries Mar 8, 2008 6:37 AM
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| I appreciate Mart Vahi's comments. Relationships are built on mutual interests and beliefs among other things. We in ACOP hold dearly truths that are precious that motivate us to minister. We can easily find fellowship with other Christians holding similar truths (Deity of Christ, New Birth, Name of Jesus, immersion baptism, veracity of Bible etc). The beauty of it all is when we communicate we expand spiritually as individuals and as a fellowship. |
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