How Can You Have a Better Relationship With God?

It may be difficult to grasp the concept that God wants a relationship with us. In Romans 8:15 Paul tells the Christians in Rome, “You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’” (emphasis added).

The word Abba signifies an intimate paternal relationship. Appreciating these words opens the door to grasping how God relates to His creation. He desires to be our Father in the deepest sense of the word. In fact, He sacrificed His Son so that we could have the chance to enter into His family!

John 3:16 demonstrates this fact: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

So what is the next step? “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God’s desire to have a relationship with us is rooted in His perfect love. The love and mercy that He shows toward us should motivate us to full obedience to His commandments. “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (John 15:10).

To learn more, read the Life, Hope & Truth article “Relationship With God.”