(Part 5 of a series)

This series explores two essential topics: God and people. When children know who God really is and what He says about who they really are, they can confidently navigate faith and life. Kids must know both the Lord and themselves intimately—not superficially.

God matters most. Learning about the Lord is more important (and more rewarding) than anything else we can do!

People matter to God. People who truly grasp what God says about their identity finally understand who they are and how to live.

The question, “How Does God Relate to You?” follows naturally from the previous topic, “What Are You Like?” Read that article of this series here.

“How Does God Relate to You?”

Short Answer
God Defeats Death. God unchains souls who are enslaved by sin. He is selfless.

God and people enjoyed a perfect relationship in Eden, but that fellowship was broken by “the fall” into sin. People desperately needed to be liberated from the power of sin and the penalty of death. Finally, Christ’s sacrificial death restored relations between God and humans.

Biblical Answer

People are slaves to selfishness and sin. Every human being faces an unsolvable situation. We have offended God and are therefore guilty of breaking His just law and must pay the penalty. Unless God Himself does something, we have no hope. Unless someone sets us free, we will someday face God’s just judgment.

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)

God took the initiative to resolve our dilemma. First, He communicated to people through the wonders of creation and the words of the Bible. Then, Jesus left heaven and lived a perfect life on earth. He died on the cross and endured God’s judgment that we deserved. Jesus took our place. Faith in Christ is the only way to escape slavery to sin and Satan.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)

Expanded Answer

“Salvation” is both wonderfully simple and profoundly complex. In this series, two successive questions will address salvation from two complementary vantage points—divine and human. This article focuses on God’s amazing sacrifice in securing salvation for people. The next article, “How Do You Relate to God?” will target salvation from the human perspective

GOD SPEAKS. The Lord communicates clearly and openly so people can know Him.

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. ²And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2a)

All people know about God because He reveals Himself in His glorious works in heaven and earth (Psalm 19:1, general revelation). The Lord also imparts His trustworthy words in two treasured Testaments—the Bible (1 John 5:9-12, special revelation). God breathes life and power into the Bible’s sacred words (2 Timothy 3:16-17, inspiration). He awakens hearts and minds to understand the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, illumination; 2 Peter 1:20-21, interpretation).

GOD SEEKS. The Lord pursues people who value His love and forgiveness.

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

When anyone comes to the faith, God has been actively working beforehand. He is anything but “passive” in the salvation process. Jesus revealed that God cares so much for each lost sheep that He searches until He finds it.

God extends His benevolent hand to all people (Psalm 145:9). God examines everyone inside and out, discerning each motive (Psalm 33:13-15). The Lord exposes personal sin and warns of coming judgment (John 16:8-11). God selects undeserving people who believe His Word (Ephesians 1:3-4). Finally, God calls to individuals who respond in faith and follow Him (Matthew 11:2-29).

For thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. ¹²As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.” (Ezekiel 34:11-12)

GOD SAVES. The Lord cancels all claims against people who trust Jesus, His Living Word.

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

When Jesus died on the cross, He accomplished many things that were impossible for people to achieve. God’s innocent Son took the place of guilty people (Isaiah 53:5-6, substitution). God’s sinless Son spilled His blood to settle the debt of sinful people (1 Peter 1:18-19, redemption). God’s human Son satisfied every demand of divine justice and wrath (Romans 8:1-2, propitiation). God’s risen Son conquered the curse of sin and death (Colossians 2:13-15, resurrection). Because of Christ’s work on the cross on our behalf, God justifies us. He declares individuals “righteous” by grace through faith (Romans 5:8-9, justification).

And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9)

GOD SEALS. The Lord treasures each believer as His prized possession.

“The Lord has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; ¹⁹and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.” (Deuteronomy 26:18-19)

The very instant we place our faith in Christ for forgiveness and salvation, God confirms our new relationship with Him in these ways:

He Raises. God confers new life upon sinners who were spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:4-6, regeneration).
He Indwells. God resides inside all who trust Him as Savior (Romans 8:11, indwelling).
He Befriends. God reconciles with people who were formerly His foes (Romans 5:10-11, reconciliation).
He Adopts. God awards His children the rights and responsibilities of legal heirs (John 1:12-13, adoption).
He Enrolls. God enfolds His followers into the universal family of believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; ²⁸and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28)

So, how does God relate to you? —“The Lord Defeats Death. God unchains souls who are enslaved by sin. He is selfless.”

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” ⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; ⁵⁷but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

Application

God still seeks “lost” sheep. Perhaps you now understand Jesus’ love and forgiveness in an entirely new way. You realize that He died in your place and you need Him to forgive your own sins. If so, respond right now.

Read the next article in this series: How Do You Relate to God?