TWO SIDES OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.Romans 14:17 (NKJV)

As a believer, there are two sides to your relationship with God: a legal side and an experiential side. Both are crucial to understand.

To understand the legal side, you need to know what happened from the cross to the throne. When Jesus died, was buried and rose again, He established a new covenant. Under this legal agreement, not only are your sins forgiven, but you step into a new inheritance as God’s child. You are now entitled to all the rights and benefits Jesus won for you. Because you have this righteousness, you can stand before God confident and unashamed.

Unfortunately, some believers focus only on the legal side of their relationship with God and forget about the experiential side. These people quickly become dry, boring and religious.

We need to experience our relationship with God too. This is where you get to know Him on a personal level. You meditate on His Word and fill up with His love for you. You walk in unspeakable joy and perfect peace as you enjoy God’s presence, and you see the miraculous taking place in your life.

People who focus on only their experiences and forget the legal side often go off on crazy tangents. They may end up subscribing to doctrines that make them feel good, but aren’t properly based on Scripture.

If you want to see real transformation in your life, you need to grow in both areas. Deepen your understanding of what Jesus did for you, and at the same time, celebrate and enjoy the life you have in Him. There’s no better way to mature as a believer!

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