YOU CAN BE FRIENDS WITH GOD

 


By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi 
  “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, Isaiah 41:8 NLT Bible 
   Religion is an attempt by man to be in harmony with God while using man's standards of holiness . The scriptures describes the futility of religion and the religious in this light  " and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.   You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. Colossians 2:19‭-‬20‭, ‬22‭-‬23 NLT Bible. 
     Religion lacks the power to cure sin . The most religious countries in the world rank amongst the highest in the corruption index . Righteousness cannot be achieved through religion if it could ,there would be no longer be a guilty conscience among the religious  . Proof of this is the repetition of rituals designed to take away sins but they cannot.
          Peace cannot be achieved through religion; only a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ can guarantee peace. Abraham discovered this when he was declared righteous without observing any religious duty and God described him as his friend .Righteousness is a gift from God that brings a person to the status of friendship with God. Imagine being friends with the most influential person in the universe. 
     Friendship with God cannot be achieved by self effort. The scriptures says " Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. Romans 4:11 NLT Bible .
     Abraham became righteous without observing any religious duty. The believer in Jesus Christ is accepted in God's household as a son and friend Ephesians 1: 6 says "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." We are no longer strangers in the house of God , you are no longer an outcast without identity ,you are royalty by your friendship with God . 
        The scriptures says "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9‭-‬10 NLT Bible 
     " And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." Romans 5:9‭-‬11 NLT Bible " Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan." Ephesians 1:11 NLT Bible
       You are not an unfortunate and hopeless person you are friends with the most high God and he has great plans for you. 

Prayer : Heavenly father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as my lord and saviour and receive the Holy ghost and confidence to confront and conquer life's challenges . Amen. +2348098536911, +2348035536911 email : michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com.

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