Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

To me, this question is similar to one that the English Christian commentator C. S. Lewis discussed in his excellent book Mere Christianity (which is fully viewable for free online at https://www.truthaccordingtoscripture.com/documents/apologetics/mere-christianity/Mere-Christianity.pdf). 

With regard to people who knew in their heads that they ought to love their neighbor, but did not particularly "feel" the presence of such love in their hearts, Lewis said, “Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.” 

Therefore, act according to the knowledge in your head as if it were already in your heart (even if it is not there yet), and you will soon find that heart knowledge will follow.

October 11 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Supporter Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

Jesus tells us exactly how to do this in John chapter 15. It's all about fruit.
A deep personal relationship with God is like a branch (us) connected to a vine (Jesus). We produce fruit (a harvest) for the kingdom of God. God produces fruit (his heart blessings) in our lives to mould and shape us into the character of Christ.

Here are some selected verses:
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener (v1)
Every branch that bears fruit he [Father] prunes so that it will be even more fruitful (v2)
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (v4)
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing (v5)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (v7)
This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (v8)
As the Father has loved me. So have I loved you. Now remain in my love (v9)
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (v11)

How do we remain in Jesus? Here are some suggestions:
1. Read and study the bible every day (it is God speaking to us)
2. Pray every day and talk to God about every aspect of our lives
3. Worship everyday, giving praise for who God is and thanks for what he has done
4. Do the good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do
5. Fellowship with other Christians to be strengthened and encouraged in our faith

Jesus' promise is that if we remain in him (by doing the things listed above - which demonstrate that God has first place in our lives), we can ask anything of him and he will do it. Ask him to give you the most abundantly fulfilling and deeply satisfying relationship with him that fills your heart to overflowing.

How does God transform our head knowledge about him into a heart-felt relationship with him? By the fruit of his Spirit as we walk with him everyday. In Galatians 5:22 we read "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control". And Galatians 5:25 tells us "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." This fruit produces the character of Christ in us. This is the only part of our human experience that stays with us when we die and go to heaven. 

In conclusion, we initiate this close relationship with God by doing the things that enable us to remain in Jesus' love for us. When we do this God is pleased to pour out his blessings upon our lives through his Holy Spirit working in us; so we experience the abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10:10), and which you are searching for.

October 12 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report