Have you ever tried to get closer to God by doing good works? Maybe you’re always at church, working in children’s ministry, and helping the homeless. Maybe you’re the one everyone calls when they need help, because they know you’ll drop everything and come to their rescue. You think these things should make you feel close to God, but they don’t. And so you wonder. . . How do I get closer to God spiritually?
Fortunately, it is not works that bring you closer to God. We all screw up so often! Think about other relationships in your life. You don’t get close to someone just by doing things for them. You get close by spending time with them and learning more about them. So it is with God.
The importance of growing closer to God
Growing in our relationship with God is essential in the life of a Christian. Without that relationship, our faith is in danger of being a dead faith or based solely on our own works. In John 15, Jesus is described as a vine, while we are the branches. A branch cannot live unless it is attached to the vine, and it certainly cannot produce fruit. We can grow closer to God through attachment.
Bible verses about drawing near to God
There are countless Bible verses about drawing near to God. In fact, my ladies Bible study was just talking about it today. This is a fairly common phenomenon.
James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 NIV
As we draw near to God, He will draw near to you. It is always you who moves away from God. He’s always waiting.
Psalms 145:18
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Psalms 145:18
You must call on Him so that He can be with you. How should we call on Him? In truth. This is a great Bible verse about drawing near to God.
Psalms 73:28
“But it is good for me to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may declare of all your works.” Psalms 73:28
How wonderful it is to be close to God! He is truly our refuge and strength. As you grow closer to God spiritually, you will have wonderful works to share.
Malachi 3:7
“From the days of your fathers you have departed from my laws and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?'” Malachi 3:7
Sin is what separates you from God. You cannot get closer to God spiritually if you live against His commandments. You cannot get closer to God unless you ask for His forgiveness. The good news is that He will have compassion and forgive you.
Hebrews 10:19-22
“Therefore, brethren, because we have the confidence to enter the holy places through the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he has opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, with our hearts cleansed from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22
There are several verses in the book of Hebrews that are great reminders that God wants you to be close to Him, and this is one of them. He loves you and wants to be in a relationship with you. Isn’t that great? Thanks to Jesus you can now come directly to God. We have been cleaned.
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
It is impossible to approach God without believing in Him. To do that you must have faith, because without faith you cannot possibly please Him. By seeking Him you will be rewarded.
Benefits of drawing near to God
There are many benefits to drawing near to God. As we grow closer to God spiritually, we learn and grow. We are increasingly turning to God and turning away from the things of this world. Check out some of these benefits below. Which one means the most to you?
- God will draw closer to you. See James 4:8 above.
- You will come to know God’s voice.
- You learn who God really is.
- Spiritual fruits are being produced in your life.
- God will give you the hope, strength, peace, and help you need.
- You turn away from the things of this world.
- You receive God’s blessings.
- You learn wisdom from God.
- God will give you everything you need.
- You learn to trust Him, even in difficult times.
How to get closer to God spiritually
Okay, let’s get started how to get closer to God. While there is no exact formula for growing closer to God, some of these certainly need to be done in order to grow spiritually. We don’t get closer simply by wanting to. We actually have to do our part. Have you found other things that help you get closer to God?
Get closer to God through prayer
Prayer is an important part of growing closer to God. No relationship can be built between you and God without communication, and prayer is the way we communicate with God. Tell Him your joys, praise Him, and come to Him with your worries and fears. He want to to hear from you. Look for ways to deepen your prayer life.
Get closer to God by reading the Bible
Reading the Bible is another vital way to grow closer to God spiritually. In reality, reading the Bible daily has many more benefits besides growing towards God. By reading the Bible, you will learn about God’s plan throughout history, learn about His character, learn how He wants you to live, and gain strength and encouragement. You learn what God loves and what He hates. If you want to grow closer to Him, it is important to really get to know God.
Get closer to God by confessing sin
If you haven’t noticed the Bible verses about drawing near to God, several of them mention that drawing near is dependent on repenting and turning from our sins. If we do not ask God for forgiveness, sin becomes a wall between us and God. If we sin shamelessly, God does not hear our prayers. Make it a habit to evaluate your life and confess your sins.
The printable Bible study journal has all the tools you need to dig into God’s Word, grow in prayer, and set spiritual goals.
Get closer to God by going to church
The main reason many people go to church is to get closer to God Pew research. I understand that there are times when you may not be able to go to church, so know that you can still be close to God during these times. However, Christian fellowship and staying under the preaching of God’s Word can greatly help us grow closer to God.
Get closer to God by taking time to be still
In our current culture, we tend to overwork ourselves. What if you let go of the things that don’t matter and slowed down? By taking the time to be quiet for extended periods of time, you open yourself up to a space where you can listen to God. Psalms 46:10 tells us to be still and know that He is God. By being silent before the Lord, you can grow closer to Him.
Get closer to God by listening to worship music
There’s no doubt about it: music can be powerful. What more powerful music is there than the music that points us to God? Now I understand that not all people are affected equally by music, but it can be a great tool to bring you closer to God. Worship music can be of all kinds, but you want to be sure that what you are listening to is actually Biblical. Music can speak about teachings from the Bible, God’s character and sinful man. Christian songs can remind us that we are nothing without Jesus. Try listening to worship music to get closer to God.
Prayer to get closer to God
Now that you’ve learned some ways to get closer to God spiritually, why not pray right away and ask God to help you? He longs to hear from you. He longs to be close to you.
“Dear Lord, I am sorry that I have allowed myself to distance myself from You. I see now that You want to be close to me. Please forgive me for every sin that stands between You and me. Give me the desire to spend time every day reading Your Word and praying to You. I want to draw near to You with confidence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I pray that you will be inspired to draw closer to God. If you have found other ways to grow closer to God spiritually, I would love to hear about them in the comments below. Which of these should you get started with today?
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