How to Draw Near to God

 In our previous discussion, we explored the concept of drawing near to God, acknowledging that each personal journey is unique and can take various forms. Some individuals wholeheartedly commit to God in a single transformative moment, while others enter a process of discovery, seeking to understand God, Jesus, and the significance of turning toward Him. Each person’s encounter with God is inherently unique. 

Nonetheless, a common thread unites those who feel drawn to God—an intense yearning for a connection with Him, unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. This yearning may feel like a strong desire to delve deeper into the knowledge of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It may lead individuals to explore the Bible, learn how to pray, and kindle new interests. Thus, while the specifics of the experience may differ, those drawn toward our Heavenly Father often find themselves nurturing new spiritual passions. 

If you find yourself in this place of longing for God, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Moreover, there are steps you can take to start this personal journey at your own pace. It’s important to remember that our Lord is patient and does not impose Himself on you. He awaits your willingness to turn fully to Him. 

Have Faith in Approaching God

We should approach God with hearts full of confidence and expectation, as it says in Revelation 3:20 NKJV, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with Him, and he with Me.” This promise from Christ warms the spirit and heart. Can you imagine sitting down for a meal with Jesus? 

This promise comes directly from the Son of the Living God! Are you worried that Jesus won’t accept you because of your sins? Remember that Jesus dined with sinners, as you can vividly see in Mark 2:13-17. In this passage, Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to be His disciple. Jesus and Levi shared a meal at Levi’s home, where many tax collectors and sinners gathered to eat with Jesus and His disciples. This perturbed the Pharisees, and they questioned Christ’s disciples about his choice of dining companions. 

Jesus responded to their inquiry with the words, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 3:17 NKJV). All throughout his ministry, Jesus spent much time with sinners and the outcasts of society. 

Just as Jesus shared meals with tax collectors and sinners, He is eager to dine with you and me. If we respond to His call and heed His voice, we can invite Jesus, the Son of God, into our hearts, and He will stay with us for as long as we desire. 

So, regardless of your past or present sins, if you respond to Christ’s invitation and confession your sins, He will come to you. Is it really that simple? The answer is “Yes!” 

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

We can only approach God through Christ, as Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” What does this mean? It means that Jesus Christ is the sole path to God, our Father. He is the means of salvation for each of us. This necessity arises from the stark contrast between our sinful nature and God’s holiness and purity. Only through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross can we approach God. 

Jesus, in His mercy and faithfulness to God, understands our sinful condition. His sacrifice on the cross is the means by which he redeems us from our sins, offering salvation to all who have lived and will live. Embracing Jesus as God’s only begotten Son and accepting His death on the cross can save us from our sins. 

Relationship with God Only Through Christ

Once you have accepted Christ, you can pray to God, our loving Father, through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to those who profess their belief in Christ and confess their sins. This process may seem difficult; however, it’s an essential step that must be taken before you draw near to God. 

Acts 2:38-29 NKJV professes this assurance: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.” A similar message is found in Ephesians 2:8 NKJV: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God.” 

Ephesians 2:8 is the message of salvation. It shows that our relationship with God, our reconciliation, and our eternal life are made possible through God’s grace and our faith in Jesus Christ, a gift from God. Our faith and salvation are not something we can obtain on our own. This verse emphasizes the centrality of faith and the importance of recognizing that salvation is a divine gift of unmerited favor. 

In other words, we are not able to achieve salvation or faith through our own endeavors. We can only gain salvation through Christ. Salvation and redemption are free gifts from God. We can’t earn these through our own works but only through faith. 

In 1 Peter 3:18-22 NKJV, we find this same message: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit…” The Bible abounds with promises made by God, reassuring us that if we come to Christ, accept Him as our Savior and God’s only begotten Son, and pray through Him to God, our prayers will be heard. 

The initial step in drawing near God is acknowledging that Jesus Christ is His Son and our Savior. Through this recognition and the confession of our sins, we become children of the Living God. 

Concluding Thoughts

Drawing near to God is a deeply personal and unique experience for each individual. While the path may vary, a common threat among those seeking a connection with God is a profound yearning unlike any other. This longing is a powerful motivation for a closer relationship with God. 

On this journey of faith and spiritual growth, the foundation is laid by acknowledging Jesus Christ as God’s only begotten Son and our Savior. From here, we have the privilege of turning to God through Christ, creating a connection that transcends all earthly understanding. 

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