Gospel Reflections #774: It is a personal relationship that God desires

Matthew 25:8 "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out."

How we hear and handle the truth brings significant consequences for us.

Without oil, we cannot keep our lamps burning.

The foolish virgins saw their lamps growing dim and seemed to realise they lacked oil. Yet, having kept their lamps lit alongside many others, the brightness of the collective lamps may have blinded them to their own lamps' impending failure.

Similarly, when we associate with outstanding believers, we can fall into the illusion that we, too, have attained such a stature.

Moreover, hearing remarkable testimonies can foster the fantasy that experiencing such events ourselves would strengthen our faith.

We can share testimonies within our own relationship with God, but transferring or giving my faith to someone else will not strengthen their faith.

Our faith is nurtured through our personal connection with God.

When asked how this is achieved, I must say our styles differ. I believe no two individuals share the same relationship with God.

Therefore, we must each build our own relationship with God.

This does not mean striving on our own, but speaking to God and seeking His help.

Many Christians may find they can vent to friends but cannot vent to God.

God knows everything about us, more than we know ourselves. If there are things we cannot tell Him, it means our relationship of trust is only that deep.

If you wish to deepen your relationship of trust with God, confess it to Him and seek His wisdom, strength, and guidance.

God is always seeking to engage with us.

The reason we cannot do so is not because we are incapable, but because we choose not to.

Let us exercise our faith to trust God more deeply, so we can come to Him as we are, without excuses or justifications.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.