How do I know if I have a relationship with Jesus?

Building a relationship with Jesus is an important aspect of every Christian’s life. One of the first steps we want to take is to develop the “mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16),” trying to think as he does and with the same motivation and direction.

When he was on earth he said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).

This principle applies to every believer who desires the mind of Christ. The Father’s will must be sought and obeyed. In his final message to the disciples Jesus prayed and said,

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

John 17:17

Understanding the truth in God’s word must form the foundation of our thoughts and conduct.

Sanctification is more than understanding the truth. It means to be separated from worldly practices and focused on serving God in whatever way He desires. It is very difficult to just stop thinking on a human level. The best way to think on a spiritual level is to fill our minds with spiritual things. This will naturally push out our common, fallen human thoughts. Attending Bible studies and discussing the Bible with others in our fellowship can help keep our minds properly focused.

Another important aspect of attaining the mind of Christ is prayer. Jesus said, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? … If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:11,13).

Seeking God’s holy spirit (His power and influence) in our lives helps us to think like our Lord Jesus. 

In situations where a decision needs to be made, we can ask ourselves, “What would Jesus want me to do?” As we search for the right answer, we weigh the principles he followed. We can also ask, “How will my decision honor God?” Not every decision we make is so crucial, but these types of questions may help us as we seek to think like Christ.

Philippians 2:1-8 provides us with a meaningful passage in seeing the mind of Christ. The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of love and humility. These two qualities are essential characteristics of being Christlike. If having love is particularly challenging for us, there are things we can do to encourage its growth. We can actively look for ways of being helpful to others. We can forgive anyone who has hurt or offended us. These are practical things that can make love a part of our own characters. Christian Questions has a lot of great episodes about improving our character. Listening each week with Bible in hand will help you to find a solid base of scriptures to rely on.

The example Paul gave of humility was how our Lord Jesus gave up the glories of heaven as the Logos to be made a man and live among sinful men. He did this out of obedience to God and love for the world.

The Apostle Peter adds other characteristics we each need to become Christlike. He lists faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, kindness and love. He says,

“for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 2:8

Each of the qualities can be carefully studied and put into practice. So much of this originates in the mind. When we observe something, often our first thought is from our flesh. It may be anger or evil surmising about what we are seeing. It’s really the second thought generated from what we have learned from biblical principles in God’s word  that is most important. How would Jesus respond to what I am seeing? As we grow in Christ, the second thought will occur more often and it is usually the right one.

As noble as all of this is, we still fall short. Even the great Apostle Paul said, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27). As long as we are in the flesh, the battle must continue to subdue the flesh and grow in the spirit.

To learn more about how to grow the fruit of the spirit to become more like Jesus listen to our series,

“Do I Walk in the Spirit or in the Lusts of My Human Nature?”