Breaking Through the
Relational Barrier

by Harvey L. Diamond

The world has always held a broad spectrum of views of the concept of god. Man has somehow sensed the existence of a sovereign power with the ability to intervene with life, and through natural and supernatural causes, have ultimate dominion.

Over the centuries, three primary spheres of religious beliefs and traditions (Jews, Christians and Muslims) have looked to the relationship one man, Abraham, cultivated with one divine being who demonstrated His sovereignty, calling Himself “Yahweh” (general modern convention of the Hebrew letters YHVH). Through three generations, God revealed the basics of a kind of relationship He desired to establish with humanity, and subsequently has been referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

How mankind developed so many streams of thought about God and likewise so many diverse ways of expressing worship and faith in God is amazing. Our focus of discussion however, is the reality of a genuine dynamic relationship with God—according to HIS terms—the ways expressed in Scripture—HIS WORD, HIS covenant with mankind.

Our Diverse Perspectives

God wired us individually and uniquely! We, therefore, have all been endowed with a great degree of gifts and endowments. At the same time our environments and experiences impact how we feel, process life, react, and make choices.

We, therefore, process in diverse ways through our intellect and emotions, or mind and heart. Some people process more from the inside, while others rely more on external influences. We also have different levels of chemistry, and express ourselves through different temperaments.

Belief vs. Faith vs. Trust

How does faith fit in the equation? Basically, it’s a matter of trust. Many think of faith as a system of beliefs. Reality is—belief and trust are very different!

You can believe in something intellectually; but the degree to which you act is based more on your level of trust. In addition, trust is connected to truth. You will only trust in something or somebody you associate with representing truth.

For that matter, real Biblical faith is an issue of trust; trusting what you hold as truth. Since you can only trust those with whom you can relate, the more you relate with God, the greater your level of trust in God—real faith.

For that matter Bible words in Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT) dealing with the issue of faith consider these very relevant concepts.

emunah (OT) trusting faithfulness, confidence

aman (OT) to believe, trust; to be true or certain

shema (OT) to hearken, hear with implication of obedience; consent, be content, witness

pisteuo (NT) to have faith, entrust

pistis (NT) persuasion, credence, moral conviction

peitho (NT) convince, assent, rely, agree, assure, believe, have confidence, trust, yield

 

Human Response to God

The Bible is unique in its ability to pierce through the perceptive and receptive human mind and speak to the inner heart. Whether through its historical narratives, devotional and legal codes, poetry, proverbs, prophetic utterances and letters, the Bible speaks to all aspects of the human condition. It expresses with incredible uniformity across a wide span of books and passages how God calls—and recalls—the human heart into relationship with its Creator.

Besides the inerrant nature and inherent authority of God’s Word, it is the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit that illuminates the Word and enables us to connect with God. The Holy Spirit is God’s agent of creation bearing revelation of truth and witness of the evidence of redemption achieved through the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It is through the abiding operative presence of the Holy Spirit that God works to renew, refresh, enlighten and empower us according to His will—as we agree with His will “on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

Our opportunity is to come to know God in a real way; come to the understanding of the knowledge of God—over a variety of topics, as they pertain to us—so we may come into agreement with God and receive the favor and blessings of God! The prophet, Jeremiah, spoke of this truth.

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising loving-kindness, judgment,
and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the LORD.
(Jeremiah 9:23-24)

The apostle, Paul, carried this thought forward in his teaching in 2 Corinthians, as he addressed the issue of “pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (v. 10:4-5)

He spoke of casting down or demolishing strongholds—thought patterns that oppose the truth and wisdom of God—and bringing our thoughts into compliance with the Kingdom of God. It takes knowing God and His ways.

It, therefore, behooves us to assess our level of trust in God and basis of our beliefs. What influences, for instance, have affected and shaped our faith—and knowledge of God?

Unfortunately, the world is froth with interpretations of Scripture and actions of God that have left many with impressions that to relate to God one must adhere to forms of religious dogma, belief systems and ritualistic practices that seem empty and irrelevant. That’s a great human tragedy! God—your Creator—designed a way to enter into simple relationship and experience the joy of His presence and peace!

The forerunner of such a relationship was King David. He understood the value and experienced the reality of such a relationship. For that matter, the LORD called him “a man after His own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14) It’s no wonder the foretold Messiah, Yeshua—Jesus Christ would come and be called by the Jewish people, “Son of David.”

For more on how David cultivated such a heart of trusting faith and relationship with God see the article, HOW DAVID FORGED A UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD