Essays of Renaldo Visione - A Relationship

rvisione · Newbie Joined: Nov 09, 2005 Posts: 11 Status: **Offline**

A Relationship

Do I love God as much as He loves me? We know that in any relationship, the commitment is not always 50/50. Sometimes it is 60/40 or 70/30 or even 90/10. Relationships ebb and flow. The balance can shift in the other direction to 40/60, 30/70 or 10/90. As time goes on the commitment may balance out. A healthy balance will result in a long term relationship, but a constant imbalance is likely to lead to the relationshipâ€™s dissolution.

But how is it with God? No matter what I may profess, I know the balance will never be 50/50. Is it possible that I could fathom the totality of Godâ€™s love? Could I ever hope to equal in giving the love that He gives? While the balance may not be 50/50, that doesnâ€™t mean I donâ€™t have a role.

Perhaps the most important question is what relationship do I have with God? Do I leave my relationship with a visit once a week to Godâ€™s house? With so many things to do in the world, it is easy to sacrifice my time for Him in favor of other things. Perhaps if I spent more time on my side of the relationship, I might understand His side better.

I must ask myself, how can I hope to have an everlasting relationship with God if I do not do my part? But what exactly is that part? Some would say that it is simply enough to believe in Him. After all, we were told, â€œFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.â€ (John 3:16) But is that enough?

If I examine what it means to believe in Him, I do not think it simply means that I only need to believe that He existed. To believe in Him, I must believe what He taught us. To believe what He taught us, I must learn His teachings. But is that enough?

I may learn by reading His word, I may learn by attending church, I may learn from any number of ways, but I do not demonstrate belief in His word unless I apply what He taught. We are also told â€œâ€¦.faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.â€ (James 2:17)

I must believe, learn and do. But is that enough? In the final analysis, what relationship exists without conversation? We are told how to pray, (Mathew 6:6) but is prayer conversation? It is if I listen for the answer. Perhaps that is the most difficult part, not understanding the answer God gives to my prayers.

And so I realize, I must believe, learn, do, pray, and listen. But is that enough? Perhaps if I work at my side of the relationship, perhaps if my deeds reflect His teaching, perhaps if I ask God in my prayers, perhaps if I listen to His answer; I will come to understand.

â€œIf Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.â€ (Romans 8:10)

Renaldo Visione

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