Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It goes beyond mere religious rituals and traditions; it is about developing a deep and intimate connection with the Son of God. This spiritual journey is a transformative experience that impacts every aspect of your life.
But how to know if you have a relationship with Jesus? That’s what this article is about. I will show you a precise 10 step process to help you discern if you have a genuine relationship with Jesus.
What Does It Mean to Have a Relationship with Jesus?
A relationship with Jesus is not based on superficiality or empty rituals. It is a dynamic and living connection that involves heartfelt communication, trust, love, and obedience. It is a journey of spiritual growth and transformation where you align your life with Jesus’ teachings and experience His presence in your daily life.
To have a relationship with Jesus means accepting Him as your Lord and Savior, regularly communicating with Him through prayer, actively studying and applying His teachings from the Bible, deepening your trust in His promises, seeking forgiveness and repenting of your sins, genuinely loving and showing compassion to others, engaging in a Christian community, experiencing personal transformation and growth, striving to align your life with Jesus’ will, and exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit in your life.
How To Know If You Have a Relationship With Jesus?
There is a big difference between understanding what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus, know how to describe your relationship with Jesus and actually knowing whether you are in a relationship with Jesus.
If you’re wondering about the latter – how to know if you have a relationship with Jesus – here is a 10-step process to follow:
- Acceptance – Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
- Communication – Do you regularly communicate with Jesus through prayer?
- Study – Are you actively studying and applying Jesus’ teachings from the Bible?
- Trust – Do you have deep trust and faith in Jesus’ promises?
- Repentance – Have you sought forgiveness and repented of your sins?
- Love – Do you genuinely love and show compassion to others?
- Community – Are you engaged in a Christian community?
- Transformation – Do you see personal transformation and growth in your life?
- Alignment – Are you striving to align your life with Jesus’ will?
- Fruits – Do you exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in your life?
Let’s now dive into each of these steps that will help you know if you have relationship with Jesus.
Step 1: Acceptance – Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
The first step in developing a relationship with Jesus is accepting Him as your Lord and Savior. Accepting Jesus means acknowledging your need for salvation and recognizing that He is the only way to eternal life.
It involves a personal decision to surrender your life to Him and make Him the center of your existence. Personal Salvation is often one of reasons why it is important to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior involves:
- Recognizing your need for salvation and acknowledging your sins.
- Believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins and rose again.
- Confessing your sins to Jesus and asking for His forgiveness.
- Inviting Jesus into your heart and making a commitment to follow Him.
When you genuinely accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you experience forgiveness, peace, and assurance of eternal life.
Step 2: Communication – Do you regularly communicate with Jesus through prayer?
Prayer is the lifeline of your relationship with Jesus. It is the means by which you connect with Him, express your thoughts, desires, and concerns, and seek His guidance and wisdom. Regular and heartfelt communication with Jesus strengthens your relationship and deepens your connection with Him.
To cultivate a thriving prayer life:
- Set aside dedicated time for prayer each day.
- Create a quiet and distraction-free environment for prayer.
- Pray with sincerity and authenticity, pouring out your heart to Jesus.
- Use different types of prayers, such as adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.
- Listen for God’s voice and be attentive to His guidance.
- Pray without ceasing, maintaining a constant awareness of Jesus’ presence throughout your day.
Regular communication with Jesus through prayer fosters intimacy and allows for a deeper understanding of His will for your life.
Step 3: Study – Are you actively studying and applying Jesus’ teachings from the Bible?
Studying and applying the teachings of Jesus from the Bible is crucial for spiritual growth and understanding. The Bible is the primary source of Jesus’ teachings, and it serves as a guidebook for your relationship with Him.
To actively study and apply Jesus’ teachings:
- Make reading the Bible a daily habit, starting with a manageable portion.
- Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit before reading the Scriptures.
- Utilize study resources like study Bibles and commentaries.
- Engage in different study methods, such as verse-by-verse or thematic studies.
- Apply what you learn from the Bible to your daily life.
- Meditate on Scripture and memorize key verses.
- Discuss and share insights with other believers.
Active study and application of Jesus’ teachings help you align your life with His will, deepen your understanding of His character, and equip you to navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and discernment.
Step 4: Trust – Do you have deep trust and faith in Jesus’ promises?
Trust is the foundation of any relationship, including your relationship with Jesus. Trusting in Jesus’ promises, faithfulness, and provision strengthens your connection with Him. It means relying on Him in all circumstances, knowing that He is working all things together for your good.
To cultivate deep trust in Jesus:
- Reflect on His faithfulness by remembering instances where He has fulfilled His promises in your life.
- Focus on His character and meditate on His unchanging nature.
- Lean not on your understanding but surrender your plans and expectations to Him.
- Anchor yourself in His promises, finding assurance in His Word.
- Seek His guidance and wisdom in decision-making.
- Trust in His timing, even when circumstances seem uncertain.
- Maintain a posture of surrender and openness to His will.
Cultivating deep trust in Jesus allows you to experience peace, security, and confidence in His love and provision.
Step 5: Repentance – Have you sought forgiveness and repented of your sins?
Repentance is an essential aspect of your relationship with Jesus. It involves recognizing your sins, confessing them to Jesus, and turning away from them. True repentance leads to a transformed heart and a desire to live in obedience to Jesus’ teachings.
To embrace repentance:
- Recognize your sins and acknowledge areas where you have fallen short.
- Confess your sins to Jesus with sincerity and humility.
- Seek His forgiveness and trust in His grace and mercy.
- Turn away from sin and make a conscious effort to live according to God’s Word.
- Embrace a lifestyle of ongoing repentance and growth in holiness.
Repentance opens the door for forgiveness, restoration, and a closer walk with Jesus.
Step 6: Love – Do you genuinely love and show compassion to others?
Love is at the core of Jesus’ teachings. Having a relationship with Him involves not only receiving His love but also extending it to others. Genuine love and compassion for others are evidence of a growing relationship with Jesus.
To cultivate love and compassion:
- Embrace Jesus’ commandment to love one another as He has loved us.
- Practice kindness, forgiveness, and empathy towards others.
- Seek opportunities to serve and bless those in need.
- Foster healthy relationships and reconcile broken ones.
- Extend grace and understanding to those who have hurt you.
- Pray for others and intercede on their behalf.
- Reflect Jesus’ love in your thoughts, words, and actions.
Genuine love and compassion reflect the character of Jesus and deepen your connection with Him.
Step 7: Community – Are you engaged in a Christian community?
Being part of a Christian community is vital for your spiritual growth and accountability. Engaging in a Christian community provides opportunities for fellowship, support, and learning. It allows you to encourage and be encouraged by fellow believers on your faith journey.
To engage in a Christian community:
- Attend church regularly and actively participate in worship services.
- Join small groups or Bible studies where you can connect with other believers.
- Serve in your church or community, using your gifts and talents to bless others.
- Seek mentorship and guidance from mature Christians.
- Pray together, study the Bible together, and encourage one another in faith.
- Contribute to the community by sharing your experiences, insights, and struggles.
- Be open to accountability and correction from trusted Christian friends.
Being part of a Christian community provides a support system and an environment where you can grow in your relationship with Jesus.
Step 8: Transformation – Do you see personal transformation and growth in your life?
A relationship with Jesus leads to personal transformation. As you surrender to His lordship and allow the Holy Spirit to work in you, you will see changes in your character, attitudes, and actions. You become more like Jesus, reflecting His love, grace, and compassion.
To recognize personal transformation:
- Reflect on your life and observe the changes that have occurred since you started your faith journey.
- Notice growth in your character, such as increased patience, kindness, and self-control.
- Identify areas where the Holy Spirit is convicting you and guiding you towards holiness.
- Seek feedback from others who have witnessed your transformation.
- Embrace the process of sanctification and allow the Holy Spirit to continue working in you.
Personal transformation is a testament to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and the deepening of your relationship with Jesus.
Step 9: Alignment – Are you striving to align your life with Jesus’ will?
Having a relationship with Jesus means striving to align every aspect of your life with His will. It involves surrendering your plans, desires, and ambitions to Him and allowing Him to guide your decisions and actions.
To align your life with Jesus’ will:
- Seek His guidance through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and listening to the Holy Spirit.
- Surrender your plans and desires to Him, inviting Him to direct your path.
- Submit to His authority and trust in His wisdom and sovereignty.
- Be willing to let go of anything that is not in line with His will.
- Make choices that reflect His values and teachings.
- Seek to glorify Him in your relationships, work, and daily activities.
- Embrace a posture of obedience and faithfulness to His commands.
Aligning your life with Jesus’ will is an ongoing process that requires humility, surrender, and a deepening understanding of His Word.
Step 10: Fruits – Do you exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in your life?
The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are evidence of a genuine relationship with Jesus. They manifest in your thoughts, words, and actions as the Holy Spirit works in you.
To exhibit the fruits of the Spirit:
- Cultivate a love for God and others that goes beyond superficiality.
- Seek joy in Jesus, finding contentment and gratitude in His presence.
- Pursue peace in all circumstances, trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision.
- Practice patience and kindness towards others, even in challenging situations.
- Let goodness and integrity guide your actions and decisions.
- Be faithful and reliable in your commitments and relationships.
- Show gentleness and humility, considering the needs of others above your own.
- Exercise self-control in your thoughts, emotions, and desires.
Exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit is not about perfection, but about a genuine desire to reflect Jesus’ character in your life.
Closing Thoughts
Developing a relationship with Jesus is a lifelong journey filled with spiritual experiences and growth. It requires personal commitment, genuine love for God and others, and faithful obedience to His teachings.
Remember that your relationship with Jesus is not defined by perfection but by your sincere desire to know Him more deeply. As you walk hand in hand with Jesus, may you experience the richness of His presence and the transformative power of His love.
