How to Get Closer to God

In Luke 15:18-19 I read, “I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.'" (NLT)

The closer I get to God, the more he will transform my life.

Throughout Scripture, we see transformed lives. When Isaiah got close to God, he was transformed from being depressed to standing courageously. When Paul finally met Jesus Christ face to face, he was radically transformed from a persecutor of Christians to spreading Christianity throughout the Roman world. And as Moses grew closer to God, he transformed from a privileged son of Pharaoh to a humble man leading God’s people out of Egypt.

Jesus told a story about transformation, the story of the prodigal son. It’s a story of spiritual transformation, about getting close to God after wandering away.

Here’s the short version of the story. A young man takes his inheritance and wastes it on careless living. Then, when things go from bad to worse, he finally says, “I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant’” (Luke 15:18-19 NLT).

The prodigal son reminds me of my tendency to wander away from the Father who made me and loves me. But more than that, his story reminds me of God’s faithfulness, forgiveness, and compassion. When the son returned home, his father saw him from a distance and “ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20 NLT).

This is how spiritual transformation begins. The moment I say, “God, I’m tired of living the way I’ve been living,” he runs out to meet me. He takes the initiative. He even celebrates, like the father did with his prodigal son: “Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him . . . We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life” (Luke 15:22-24 NLT).

I may be closer to God than I’ve ever been before. Or maybe I’m feeling like the prodigal son, who wandered away and needs to renew a relationship with God. No matter where I am, near or far, I can get even closer to God and experience transformation in my life.

The Heavenly Father is always ready to deepen his relationship with me, ready to greet me with open arms, and ready to bring transformation into my life.

In summary, The closer I get to God, the more he will transform my life. Jesus told a story about transformation, the story of the prodigal son. It’s a story of spiritual transformation, about getting close to God after wandering away. A young man takes his inheritance and wastes it on careless living. Then, when things go from bad to worse, he finally says, “I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant’”. The prodigal son reminds me of my own tendency to wander away from the Father who made me and loves me. The story also reminds me of God’s faithfulness, forgiveness, and compassion. This is how spiritual transformation begins. The moment I say, “God, I’m tired of living the way I’ve been living,” he runs out to meet me. He takes the initiative. He even celebrates. Am I being like the prodigal son, who wandered away and needs to renew a relationship with God. No matter where I am, near or far, I can get even closer to God and experience transformation in my life. The Heavenly Father is always ready to deepen his relationship with me, ready to greet me with open arms, and ready to bring transformation into my life.

The younger son, like many who are rebellious and immature, wanted to be free to live as he pleased, and he had to hit bottom before he came to his senses. It often takes great sorrow and tragedy to cause people to look to the only one who can help them, Jesus. Am I trying to live my life my own way, selfishly pushing aside any responsibility or commitment that gets in my way? I need to stop and look before I hit bottom. In this story, the father watched and waited. He was dealing with a human being with a will of his own, but he was ready to greet his son if he returned. In the same way, God's love is constant and patient and welcoming. He will search for us and give us opportunities to respond, but he will not force us to come to him. Like the father in this story, God waits patiently for us to come to our senses. In these passages, the son left out of selfishness. God's great love reaches out and finds sinners no matter why or how they got lost. 

When My Heart Changes, My Talk Changes

In James 3:5-6 I read, “It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.” (The Message)

As God transforms my heart, the way I talk to others will begin to change. And that will bring more harmony to my relationships. Why? Because, in any relationship, most conflict is caused by the words I say and how I say them.

“It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell” (James 3:5-6 The Message).

People respond differently to stress and pressure. When the pressure is on, what comes out in someone’s speech reveals what’s really going on in their heart.

Under stress, kind people become kinder and patient people become more patient. Under stress, mean people become meaner, bullies become bigger bullies, angry people become angrier, and opinionated people become more opinionated.

Whatever is in my heart is going to spill out when I’m under pressure. So the only way I can control what I say is to manage what’s going on in my heart. How do I really feel about the people I interact with each day? Does social, economic, or political standing have any effect on how I see them? Do I give equal respect to everyone I meet?

Humility means thinking of myself less and thinking more about the needs of others. It means I meet people on their own terms; I don’t think I know it all. When I practice humility, I start seeing people as God created them: in his image, with great worth.

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (NIV).

Imagine what would happen if I constantly see people as God sees them. I would become known for being humble and kind and a great listener. I would have a lot more harmony in my relationships. And I would show the world more of what Jesus is like!

In summary, As God transforms my heart, the way I talk to others will begin to change. And that will bring more harmony to my relationships. Most conflict is caused by the words I say and how I say them. It only takes a spark to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word can do that. When the pressure is on, what comes out in someone’s speech reveals what’s really going on in their heart. Under stress, kind people become kinder and patient people become more patient. Under stress, mean people become meaner, bullies become bigger bullies, angry people become angrier, and opinionated people become more opinionated. Whatever is in my heart is going to spill out when I’m under pressure. So the only way I can control what I say is to manage what’s going on in my heart. How do I really feel about the people I interact with. Do I give equal respect to everyone I meet? Humility means thinking of myself less and thinking more about the needs of others. I meet people on their own terms; I don’t think I know it all. When I practice humility, I start seeing people as God created them: in his image, with great worth. I shouldn’t let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, so that it may benefit those who listen. I need to learn to see people as God sees them. I would become known for being humble and kind and a great listener. I would have a lot more harmony in my relationships. And I would show the world more of what Jesus is like!

What I say and don't say are both important. I must not only say the right words at the right time, but also control my desire to say what I shouldn't. Before I speak, ask, "Is what I want to say true, necessary or kind? My uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage. Idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. So don't be careless with what I say, thinking I can apologize later, because even if I do, the scars remain. Words can be like fire, I can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do. 

Harmony and Empathy Go Together

In 1 Peter 3:8 I read, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” (NIV)

If I want to maintain harmony in my home and reduce the number of conflicts in relationships, then be sensitive and empathetic to how my words and actions affect others.

The Bible says, “Never do anything that might hurt others—Jews, Greeks, or God’s church” (1 Corinthians 10:32 NCV).

This principle of being sensitive to when people get offended is more important than ever, because it seems like everybody’s got a chip on their shoulder these days. We all get offended easily, and we all offend others easily.

The solution to that in relationships is to pour grace into any situation so that I’m not so easily offended—and then to become sensitive about the things that hurt or discourage others. Imagine how relationships could change by simply doing those two things!

But it requires that I admit I’m often insensitive to the impact of my words and actions. Can I admit that I’ve sometimes been insensitive to my spouse or that you’ve not been empathetic to colleagues or that I’m just not as thoughtful as I think I am?

It’s easy to quickly think of five things that other people do to offend me. But can I name five things I do that offend your spouse, friend, or co-workers? If not, then I can always ask them. They’ll be glad to tell you!

Being more sensitive will also help me obey the Bible in another area. Jesus said in Matthew 5:25, “Settle matters quickly with your adversary” (NIV). This is a principle Ineed in every relationship in my life.

To resolve conflict more easily and quickly, I need to do two things. First, think before I speak. Second, focus more on listening than on getting my point across.

It’s human nature to first think of how I’m offended rather than of how my words and actions affect others. But maintaining harmony requires me to be empathetic instead of defensive when I hurt someone else.

“Be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8 NIV).

Harmony and empathy will always go together. If I want one, I’ll have to have the other!

In summary, learn to be like-minded, sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and to be humble. To maintain harmony and reduce the number of conflicts in relationships, then I need to learn to be sensitive and empathetic to how my words and actions affect others. Seems like everybody’s got a chip on their shoulder these days. We all get offended easily, and we all offend others easily. The solution is to pour grace into any situation so that I’m not so easily offended and then to become sensitive about the things that hurt or discourage others. It requires that I admit I’m often insensitive to the impact of my words and actions. Being more sensitive will also help me obey the Bible in another area. I’m told to settle matters quickly with adversaries. To resolve conflict more easily and quickly, I need to do two things. First, think before I speak. Second, focus more on listening than on getting my point across. Maintaining harmony requires me to be empathetic instead of defensive when I hurt someone else. Harmony and empathy will always go together. If I want one, I’ll have to have the other!

Peter lists five key elements that should characterize any group of believers: (1) one mind, pursuing the same goals; (2) sympathy, being responsive to others' needs; (3) love, seeing and treating each other as brothers and sisters; (4) tenderness, being affectionately sensitive and caring; and (5) humility, being willing to encourage one another and rejoice in each other's successes. These five qualities go a long way toward helping believers serve God effectively. 

Learn to Be Wise and Wait for the Whole Story

In Proverbs 18:13 I read, “What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!" (TLB)

To be wise in today’s information saturated society, I need two vital qualities: sound judgment and discernment. That means I learn God’s wisdom from God’s Word and then apply it to everything. I filter information and make decisions through what God has told me to do in Scripture.

Too many gullible Christians are willing to believe anything they hear or read on social media, whether that’s a news story or gossip about a friend. They don’t stop and question; they just automatically accept anything that fits within their bias.

I shouldn’t throw away my common sense. I shouldn’t be gullible and believe everything I hear. That causes conflict.

Proverbs 3:21 says, ”Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion” (NIV).

Just like it’s important to get an accurate picture of things I see or hear online, I also need to get an accurate picture in my relationships. Without all the information I need, jumping to conclusions leads to quick tempers and arguments. To lower the anger factor and have harmony with others, I must learn to reserve judgment until I know all the facts and understand the whole story.

Instead, choose to “preserve sound judgment.” Hold onto it. Don’t quickly throw it out or get rid of it. Keep a firm grip on it, as if the health of your relationships depends on it—because it does!

The Bible says, “What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!” (Proverbs 18:13 TLB)

Don’t be quick to condemn or criticize. Don’t assume I know people’s motivation, because I probably don’t. Don’t decide before knowing all the facts.

When I wait for the whole story, I develop the compassion to love well and become more like Jesus.

In summary, its a shame and stupid to decide before knowing all the facts. In order to be wise in today’s information saturated society, I need two vital qualities: sound judgment and discernment. I learn God’s wisdom from God’s Word and then apply it to everything. I filter information and make decisions through what God has told me to do. Too many (including myself at times) are willing to believe anything they hear or read on social media. I don’t stop and question; I just automatically accept anything that fits within my bias. But this verse reminds me that I shouldn’t throw away my common sense, be gullible and believe everything I hear. Just like it’s important to get an accurate picture of things I see or hear online, I also need to get an accurate picture in my relationships. Without all the information, jumping to conclusions leads to quick tempers and arguments. I need to learn to reserve judgment until I know all the facts and understand the whole story. Instead, choose to “preserve sound judgment.” Hold onto it. Don’t quickly throw it out or get rid of it. Keep a firm grip on it, Don’t be quick to condemn or criticize. Don’t assume I know people’s motivation, because I probably don’t. Don’t decide before knowing all the facts. When I wait for the whole story, I develop the compassion to love well and become more like Jesus.

So I need to get the facts before making any decision. Seek additional information. There are three basic principles for making sound decisions: (1) Get the facts before making any decision; (2) be open to new ideas; (3) make sure I hear both sides of any story before judging. All three of these things center around seeking additional information. This is difficult work, but the only alternative is prejudice, judging before getting the facts.