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Characteristics of a Healthy Personal Relationship with Jesus

A healthy personal relationship with Jesus Christ is characterized by a dynamic and growing connection, marked by specific spiritual qualities and actions. This relationship is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative experience that impacts a believer's life and conduct [1, 2, 9].

One foundational aspect of a healthy relationship with Jesus is the development and increase of spiritual qualities. The apostle Peter writes, "For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:8 BSB) [1]. The New American Standard Bible renders this similarly, stating that if these qualities "are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:8 NASB) [2]. This suggests that a static faith is not the ideal; rather, continuous growth in virtues is essential for an effective and fruitful relationship with Christ.

Central to this relationship is an intimate knowledge of God, which goes beyond mere factual understanding. The prophet Hosea emphasizes that God desires His people to "know him more than he wants burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6). This "knowing God" signifies an intimate personal relationship rather than just knowing facts about Him [12]. This intimate knowledge is a hallmark of true discipleship, leading to a transformed, fruit-bearing life rooted in a relationship of love with both Jesus and the Father (John 15:8-10) [8].

Devotedness to God is another key characteristic. This devotion is described as a characteristic of saints, with Christ himself serving as an example (John 4:34; 17:4) [5]. This devotedness is grounded in God's mercies, goodness, and call, as well as in the death of Christ and our creation, preservation, and redemption (Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Psalm 86:9; Isaiah 46:4) [5]. It should encompass one's spirit, body, members, and substance, being unreserved and abounding (1 Corinthians 6:20; Romans 12:1; Romans 6:12-13; Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 6:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:1) [5].

Perseverance is also vital in maintaining a healthy relationship with Jesus. It is considered an evidence of reconciliation with God and belonging to Christ (Colossians 1:21-23; John 8:31; Hebrews 3:6, 14) [4]. Perseverance is a characteristic of saints and is manifested in seeking God, waiting upon God, prayer, well-doing, continuing in the faith, and holding fast to hope (1 Chronicles 16:11; Hosea 12:6; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 2:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Acts 14:22; Colossians 1:23; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 3:6) [4]. This perseverance is maintained through the power of God and Christ, and through Christ's intercession (Psalm 37:24; Philippians 1:6; John 10:28; Luke 22:31-32; John 17:11) [4].

The concept of being "joined unto the Lord" highlights the profound union between a believer and Christ. John Gill, commenting on 1 Corinthians 6:17, explains that every elect person is united to the Lord Jesus Christ, to His whole person as God-man and Mediator. This union is likened to the marriage between Adam and Eve, and to the union of Christ's human nature with the person of the Son of God [10]. This spiritual intimacy with the Father and the Son, experienced through the power of the Spirit, transforms believers (John 17:21; 14:20, 23; 1 John 4:13) [6].

A healthy relationship with Jesus also involves a deep awareness of one's own sinfulness and need for a Savior. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on 1 John 5:10, notes that a true believer "hath deeply seen his sin, and guilt, and misery, and his abundant need of such a Saviour" [9]. This self-awareness is coupled with a recognition of what Christ has done for the soul and what has been found in Him [9].

The impact of this personal relationship extends to one's interactions with others. The "communication of thy faith" is meant to become "effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" (Philemon 1:6 KJV) [3]. This suggests that the internal reality of faith should manifest externally in good works and a recognition of the blessings received in Christ. Furthermore, the unity among believers is an outgrowth of their union with Jesus, modeled on the oneness of the Father and the Son. Disciples of Jesus represent Him, and their conduct and relationships with each other reflect the credibility of Christ in the world. Disunity, infighting, and intolerance can undermine their testimony [6].

Jesus himself demonstrated compassion and a willingness to engage with those considered outcasts, such as when he touched and healed a man with leprosy (Luke 5:13) [7]. This act had both spiritual and physical significance, as leprosy separated individuals from social and religious life [7]. This example underscores that a healthy relationship with Jesus involves embodying His compassion and healing presence in the world.

The family of a believer can also benefit from their relationship with Christ. Adam Clarke, commenting on Luke 4:38, observes that when Peter began to follow Christ, his family immediately benefited. He suggests that a person "full of faith and prayer may be the means of drawing down innumerable blessings on his family and acquaintance" [11]. This indicates that the personal relationship with Jesus has a ripple effect, bringing grace and aid to those connected to the believer [11].

Sources

  1. II Peter “II Peter 1:8 (BSB) — For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  2. 2 Peter “2 Peter 1:8 (NASB) — For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  3. King James Version “[KJV] Philemon 1:6 — That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
  6. John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 17:21: 17:21 For believers, becoming one with one another is an outgrowth of the union they enjoy with Jesus himself, a union modeled on the oneness of the Father and the Son. • may they be in us: Through the power of the Spirit, believers would experience a profound spiritual intimacy with the Father and the Son and be transformed (14:20, 23; 1 Jn 4:13). • Disciples of Jesus represent him, so their conduct and relationships with each other reflect the credibility of Christ in the world. When there is disunity, infighting, and intolerance, their testimony to the world is ”
  7. Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 5:13: 5:13 Jesus reached out and touched him: Most people feared catching the disease through physical contact, but Jesus showed compassion. Jesus was not contaminated by disease or evil, but brought healing and salvation. • Be healed: Literally Be cleansed. This act had spiritual and physical significance, since leprosy separated Israelites from social contact and religious practice.”
  8. John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:8: 15:8 True disciples will experience a transformed, fruit-bearing life because they live in a relationship of love with both Jesus and the Father (15:9-10).”
  9. 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 5:10: In those words we may observe, I. The privilege and stability of the real Christian: He that believeth on the Son of God, hath been prevailed with unfeignedly to cleave to him for salvation, hath the witness in himself, Jo1 5:10. He hath not only the outward evidence that others have, but he hath in his own heart a testimony for Jesus Christ. He can allege what Christ and the truth of Christ have done for his soul and what he has seen and found in him. As, 1. He has deeply seen his sin, and guilt, and misery, and his abundant need of such a Saviour. 2. He has seen”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 6:17: He that is joined unto the Lord,.... As every elect person is; his whole person, soul and body, is united to the Lord Jesus Christ, to his whole person, as God-man and Mediator; even as Adam and Eve, whose marriage was a representation of the marriage between Christ and his church, were personally united, and were called by the same name; and as the whole human nature of Christ, consisting of a true body and a reasonable soul, was united to the person of the Son of God; and as appears from the influence that union with Christ has upon the redemption, sanctifica”
  11. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 4:38: Simon's wife's mother - See on Mat 8:14-17 (note). As soon as Peter began to follow Christ, his family began to benefit by it. It is always profitable to contract an acquaintance with good men. One person full of faith and prayer may be the means of drawing down innumerable blessings on his family and acquaintance. Every person who knows the virtue and authority of Christ should earnestly seek his grace in behalf of all the spiritually diseased in his household; nor can he seek the aid of Christ in vain.”
  12. Hosea (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hosea 6:6: 6:6 In one of Hosea’s key verses, God names the most important qualities that should characterize the Israelites’ covenant lives with him. First, the Lord wants his people to show love more than he wants sacrifices. Love (Hebrew khesed) includes faithfulness (see 4:1; 6:4). God is always faithful (Ps 136), and he requires the same of his people. Second, the Lord wants Israel to know him more than he wants burnt offerings. Knowing God is much more than simply knowing facts about God (see “Knowing God” Theme Note). An intimate personal relationship with God is charact”
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