How to renew your relationship with God

Every Christian, at certain stages of life, goes through crises of faith. Some manage to overcome them and others get lost in the faith. I know many people who got off to a good start in the way of the Lord, but in time they grew cold and got lost. Falling from the faith, however, is not accidental. It is a longer process, which takes shape in the mind and then manifests itself physically. Satan, the enemy of our soul, is always preoccupied with bringing us down from the faith, and we must be aware of this. When our minds begin to be preoccupied with earthly things, more than those above, the fall is imminent.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 NASB)

The key words that the apostle Paul uses in this passage are – KEEP SEEKING the things above and SET YOUR MIND on them. I advise you to read the entire chapter 3 to see what is above and what is on earth, then analyze yourself well in the light of God’s Word.

Another piece of advice I give you to analyze your life of faith is to open your agenda for today and a week ahead. See how much time you have given in your agenda to prayer, fasting, Bible study, preaching the gospel, ministering to brothers, sisters, attending local church services, and so on. Then contrast it with the rest of the time and plans you have made. You may find that you have not even planned any of the above, or the time you have given to the Lord is just remnants, compared to the rest of the time. In that case, you have to sound the alarm and do something as urgent as possible.

So what to do if you have not watched and strayed from the faith?

The good news is that God is waiting for you to come back. He understands our weaknesses and is forgiving and long-suffering. Peter, the disciple of the Lord Jesus, also went through a crisis of faith. He seemed to be standing when He told the Lord that He was ready to go to prison and even die with Him. However, the Lord Jesus told him that on that very night Peter was going to deny Him three times. And so it happened. It’s just that when he realized what he had done, Peter regretted and wept bitterly.

“The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:61-62 NASB)

Jesus knew what would happen to Peter. Before the fall, He prayed for Peter’s faith.

The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”(Luke 22:31-32 NASB)

What a blessing it is to know that Jesus knows about the crises we are going through. He, as High Priest, intercedes for each of us so that we do not lose faith. Look what a beautiful promise we have:

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need ” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NASB)

If you have strayed from the faith, kneel down right now, confess your sins before the Lord, and return to Him. Weep before Him. Tell Him that you are determined to follow Him and serve Him. Then put your life of faith in order. Discipline your time of prayer and Bible study. Return to the local church, go to your pastor and tell him about your decision and see how you can get involved in the work of the gospel.

God bless!

Translated by Olya Trikolich