Summer 2001
Maintaining an Active Relationship with the Lord
Frank Dupree

We were saved because we responded when the Lord drew us.

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who
sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at
the last day.” John 6:44.

As we pass the first hurdles of doubt in our new found faith, we begin to grow spiritually. It is very important that we set apart time to be with the Lord, in His word and in prayer. If we fail to do this, our spiritual growth will be stunted.

“And the ones that fell among thorns are those who,
when they have heard, go out and are choked with
cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit
to maturity.” Luke 8:14-15.

If we do not begin to cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus, we may become like the disciples who, after the crucifixion of Jesus, were walking toward Emmaus. They were saddened by the circumstances of that day, and were not looking for His presence.

“And it came about that while they were conversing and
discussing, Jesus Himself approached, and began traveling
with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing
Him.”

“And He said to them, What are these words that you are
exchanging with one another as you are walking? And
they stood still, looking sad. And one of them, named
Cleopas, answered and said to Him, Are You the only one
visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have
happened here in these days?” Luke 24:15-18.

“And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He
explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the
Scriptures. And they approached the village where they
were going, and He acted as though He would go farther.
And they urged Him, saying, Stay with us, for it is getting
toward evening, and the day is now nearly over. And He
went in to stay with them.” Luke 24:27-29.

“And it came about that when He had reclined at the table
with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it,
He began giving it to them. And their eyes were opened and
they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. And
they said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within
us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was
explaining the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:27-32 NAS.

Jesus will come to us in our weakness and discouragement and minister His Word to us, enabling us to rise up and walk with Him. The key to a fruitful spiritual life is our maintaining it. It is like taking care of a garden. We must continually remove the weeds and water the plants.

Consider the bride in the Song of Solomon:

“By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth.
I sought him, but I found him not. I will rise now, and go
about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will
seek him whom my soul loveth. I sought him, but I found
him not.”

“The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom
I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? It was but a little
that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul
loveth: I held him, and would not let him go” SS 3:1-4.

She sought the Lord in the ease of her bed, but did not find him. She asked others if they could help her, but the Lord did not permit them to do so. She found him only when she persisted and refused to be discouraged. She did not give up.

Most of us do not seek the Lord with a sense of desperation. We sit on our bed of ease, and when the Lord does not show up, we turn to other things. We must become desperate for the Lord to come and fellowship with us. We must seek and then respond to His Presence, in order to be a fulfilled Christian.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto
your souls.” Matt 11:28-29.