Most Keep God Out of Their Life

There is nothing in life that is better than knowing God.  As a matter of fact, to know God is so good that the problems of life don’t seem near so bad with Him in it.  Unfortunately, most teach a form of doctrine that keeps God at a distance.  People keep God at a distance by substituting such things as ceremonies and charitable activities for a true, personal relationship with God.  Jesus Christ referred to this problem when He said: Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, {8} This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me, (Mat 15:7-8).  Systems of doctrine that teach people that God wants them to perform ceremonial doctrines while they are estranged from God are the sort that honor God with their mouth but keep their heart far from Him.

The importance of having a personal relationship with God is expressed in many scriptures.  These examples point out that a person cannot please God while being away from Him.  Furthermore, no one can do anything without a personal relationship with the Lord.

A person cannot please God while being away from Him.  (Mark 12:29-30) And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel ; The Lord our God is one Lord: {30} And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  While considering these verses, does it seem possible for a person to be able to please God without being close to Him?  These verses point out that God commands all to love Him with all that they are.  So then, can a person really love another without being personal with the one they love?  If there is no personal relationship, the love involved must be cold and insincere.  Without a personal relationship, this commandment remains broke.

No one can do anything without a personal relationship with the Lord.  (John 15:5)  I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.  While considering this verse, does it seem possible to be able to do anything pleasing to God without being close to Him?  The closing phrase in this verse points out that without the Lord we can do nothing.  So then, if a person doesn’t have a personal relationship with the Lord they can do nothing.  If a person has never known the Lord, they have never done any thing. This means that no matter if a person has been immersed in water, shook preacher’s hands, attended a church for 50 years, if they have never known the Lord they have never done one single thing.  The Lord said that without Him a person could nothing, therefore a personal relationship with Him is essential.
There is nothing better in life than to know God.  Religions that keep God at a distance serve as a wedge between people and a life that is truly good.  Those who realize that they are separate from God should seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near.  May the Lord help all to find this relationship with God and not settle for anything less.