Even Satan believes in Jesus, knows He's real, has head knowledge about Him, but he's not going to heaven. [Spirituality & Religion]
A lot of people believe, but they won't make heaven. That is, they may believe with their mind, but not their heart...not enough to make a commitment to follow and live for Jesus and repent. Even Satan believes, but he's not going to make heaven. Where there's no commitment, there's no relationship.
A relationship with Jesus is not one-sided. Jesus makes this clear when He says, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” John 14:23. Just think that Jesus and the Father want to come and make their home with you! Is that the relationship that you have with Him?
For some, a relationship with Jesus consists of praying to Him and going to church on Sunday. They allow Jesus to be a sacrifice for their sins, but the relationship with Him stops there. For others, Jesus is an example to follow. Because of His faithfulness, He has all the power and grace to help you to overcome sin in your life. This also means that your relationship with Him can be full of life – not something lifeless and stagnant – because He Himself is alive. (Revelation 1:18)
Jesus wants to become a close, beloved friend, whom you can have fellowship with on a daily basis. He will not be far away for you, but rather shall live and speak to your heart and mind through the Holy Spirit. (Did He not say: “The kingdom of heaven is within you?”) There will be an ongoing dialogue with Him whom you love and follow after. He is not only your friend, but one who understands what it’s like to be tempted, and can therefore help you in the time of need. He is a source of wisdom and encouragement, and therefore a source of strength in the time of temptation. He is your Savior, not only from the penalty of sin, but also from its power in your life, on a daily basis. As it is written: “...a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. That is how you will experience Jesus. He is able to have compassion on the weak, because He has experienced human weakness Himself. (Hebrews 4:15)
Your relationship with Jesus exists in your heart, mind, and spirit. When He is the center of your affection, then He also sits on the throne of your heart. Thoughts that come into your mind begin to be brought before Him, with the attitude of heart: “Dear Lord Jesus, is this thought pleasing in Your sight?” With such an attitude, your heart begins to understand what the mind of Jesus is, which is the mind of the Spirit: life and peace! You learn that some thoughts bring you life and peace, while others bring only unrest and emptiness. In this way, you learn to discern between good and evil in the daily situations of life, between what is, and what is not, well-pleasing in His sight. The Holy Spirit, given to new believers, becomes your instructor and guide to a deeper life and fellowship in Christ.
A relationship with Jesus is not one-sided. Jesus makes this clear when He says, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” John 14:23. Just think that Jesus and the Father want to come and make their home with you! Is that the relationship that you have with Him?
For some, a relationship with Jesus consists of praying to Him and going to church on Sunday. They allow Jesus to be a sacrifice for their sins, but the relationship with Him stops there. For others, Jesus is an example to follow. Because of His faithfulness, He has all the power and grace to help you to overcome sin in your life. This also means that your relationship with Him can be full of life – not something lifeless and stagnant – because He Himself is alive. (Revelation 1:18)
Jesus wants to become a close, beloved friend, whom you can have fellowship with on a daily basis. He will not be far away for you, but rather shall live and speak to your heart and mind through the Holy Spirit. (Did He not say: “The kingdom of heaven is within you?”) There will be an ongoing dialogue with Him whom you love and follow after. He is not only your friend, but one who understands what it’s like to be tempted, and can therefore help you in the time of need. He is a source of wisdom and encouragement, and therefore a source of strength in the time of temptation. He is your Savior, not only from the penalty of sin, but also from its power in your life, on a daily basis. As it is written: “...a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. That is how you will experience Jesus. He is able to have compassion on the weak, because He has experienced human weakness Himself. (Hebrews 4:15)
Your relationship with Jesus exists in your heart, mind, and spirit. When He is the center of your affection, then He also sits on the throne of your heart. Thoughts that come into your mind begin to be brought before Him, with the attitude of heart: “Dear Lord Jesus, is this thought pleasing in Your sight?” With such an attitude, your heart begins to understand what the mind of Jesus is, which is the mind of the Spirit: life and peace! You learn that some thoughts bring you life and peace, while others bring only unrest and emptiness. In this way, you learn to discern between good and evil in the daily situations of life, between what is, and what is not, well-pleasing in His sight. The Holy Spirit, given to new believers, becomes your instructor and guide to a deeper life and fellowship in Christ.
