Do You See Your Relationship with God as Transactional?
Do you truly love God? How do you view your relationship with Him? Is it built on genuine connection? How well do you understand His will for your life?
With the current conversations and noise surrounding religion, especially Christianity. It often feels as though we’ve reduced our relationship with God to a series of transactions — do this, and He will bless you, give that, and you will receive this in return. This thought, most times shaped by doctrines and teachings from different denominations, can lead many to view our faith as a way to achieve financial gain or other forms of prosperity, rather than an intimate and real connection with God.
I understand that life in itself is guided by certain principles and laws like sowing and reaping, and that our every action has consequences, for better or for worse. In the book of Galatians, Paul makes it clear that what we sow is what we will reap, and it goes further to tell us that sowing to please the spirit is way better than sowing to please the flesh. It is clear that a closer relationship with God outside of gains of the flesh is the best. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whosoever sows to please the flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whosoever sows to please the spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life” Galatians 6:7–8. I feel we should strive for something deeper, something real and genuine, an unshakable bond with Him that goes way beyond the blessings we expect to receive. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” Matthew 6:33. A relationship where we know Him for ourselves as our Creator, Redeemer, and most importantly our Friend.
The clear issue is that as people, we are probably conditioned to be the way we are. We are manipulated by church doctrine or dogma that can affect our understanding of the word of God. These teachings, which might sometimes be true, can be partial or mistaken for the whole truth, and this causes us to lose sight of the personal relationship God wants to have with us. Seeking and Knowing God outside the confines of doctrine and walls of a temple of worship can be the awakening we need to have a more authentic and fulfilling spiritual life. “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13.
Recognize that faith is not about transactions, but more about transformation. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God — Not by works lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8–9. Learn to listen and hear the voice of God, not just through sermons, but in the silent moments of your life. Surround yourself with people of like faith, but be careful not to allow the teachings of others replace your own journey to find out who God is and how He wants to be known by you. When we cultivate this kind of relationship, one based on love and not on gain, we begin to see God way clearer.
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Philippians 3:8.
How spiritual you are has nothing to do with what you believe, but everything to do with your state of consciousness.
In conclusion, how spiritual we are has little to do with the doctrines we profess, but everything to do with our state of consciousness. True spirituality goes beyond mere beliefs, it is rooted in our awareness and connection to our father. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2.
