Two people deciding that they are “in a relationship” is a big deal – and not just romantically. Offering or accepting a job. Introducing yourself to new neighbors. Deciding to fully participate in the local church. When God first created man, He observed, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18). Any time we choose to be in a relationship, we have a chance to experience the very goodness of life as God intended for us. But it is a choice.
It’s been like that since the beginning, when God commanded, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17). These were the boundaries for our relationship. God had shown us His goodness in no uncertain terms, meeting our every need without us needing to ask. All He wanted in return was our trust, allowing Him to tell us what is good and what is evil. You already know how that went. We broke relationship…and the rest of the Bible is about how far God went to fix it through Jesus. Now, to all who have received Jesus, “who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).
Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, the Bible can end with an invitation for us to choose relationship: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates” (Rev. 22:14). God has opened the gates. He freely offers us the tree of life – partaking of that eternal life with Him that sin kept from us (cf. Gen. 3:22; Rom. 5:12, 6:23). Yet, we must choose relationship. We must choose to wash our robes and enter, living in God’s presence every day.
Not everyone makes that choice. “Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” (Rev. 22:15). Even though Christ loves us and shed His blood to free us from our sins, some still refuse a relationship with Him (cf. Rev. 1:5, 9:20-21, 22:11). Just like some couples break up, some employment is terminated, or some family members don’t speak, we realize relationship isn’t guaranteed. We must respect its boundaries. We must nurture it, invest in it, and when it is broken, seek healing.
God offers us that through Jesus. Choosing to accept it and truly be in a relationship with Him fills our lives with His very goodness. It changes all our relationships in the best possible way by changing us. The gates are open. The invitation is given. Now we must choose.
It is not good to be alone. Through Jesus Christ, God gives us a way to experience real relationship. Learn how to experience it along with us at https://www.georgetownchurchofchrist.com/real-relationship.