RELATIONSHIP SECURE

Table of Contents

1. The Meaning of a Rich Relationship with God
2. God’s Generous Heart Toward His Children
3. The Two Hindrances to Enjoying God’s Kingdom
4. Hindrance One Removed: The Sin Issue
5. Righteousness Declared Through the Resurrection
6. Personal Testimony: The Power of Right Believing
7. The New Creation and Renewed Mind
8. Hindrance Two Removed: The Work Issue
9. Salvation as a Gift, Not a Reward
10. Living Free from Hindrances in God’s Love

The Meaning of a Rich Relationship with God

Pastor Leonard begins by explaining that the word “rich” in Scripture does not only refer to material wealth. It also means being abundantly supplied and, most importantly, recognizing a securely attached relationship. This secure relationship is the true richness believers have with God through Jesus Christ.

He points to 2 Corinthians 8:9 as the foundation for this truth:

2 Corinthians 8:9: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

Jesus, though rich, became poor so that believers could become truly rich—not merely in possessions, but in relationship and spiritual security.

God’s Generous Heart Toward His Children

Pastor Leonard continues by showing that God’s nature is to give, not withhold. He reminds the congregation that God already gave His greatest treasure—His Son.

Romans 8:32: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

If God has already given His Son, there is nothing good He will withhold from His children.

He also points to the promise of the kingdom:

Luke 12:32: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

God delights in giving His kingdom to His children. This provision flows from a secure relationship with Him.

He adds that believers who receive grace and righteousness reign in life:

Romans 5:17: “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”

This reigning in life comes from receiving the gift of righteousness, not earning it.

The Two Hindrances to Enjoying God’s Kingdom

Pastor Leonard explains that although God desires His children to live in the fullness of His kingdom, two major hindrances have historically kept people from enjoying this relationship: sin and works.

He emphasizes that God has already removed both hindrances through the finished work of Christ. However, people still struggle because they live under a mixture of the old and new covenants, or they are taught messages that keep these hindrances in place.

Hindrance One Removed: The Sin Issue

The first hindrance God removed was the sin issue. Pastor Leonard points to the great exchange that took place at the cross:

2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Christ became sin so that believers could become the righteousness of God. He then reads from Romans to show how Jesus’ death and resurrection declared believers righteous:

Romans 4:25: “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

Romans 5:1–2: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Because of Christ, believers now have lasting peace with God and permanent access to His grace. He reinforces this with God’s final verdict:

Romans 8:33: “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” God Himself has declared believers “not guilty,” and nothing can overturn that verdict.

Righteousness Declared Through the Resurrection

Pastor Leonard explains that Easter is not only about the empty tomb. It is also about the declaration of believers’ righteousness. When Jesus was raised, it proved that sin had been dealt with and believers were justified.

He reminds the congregation of the truth of new life in Christ:

Romans 6:4–5: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”

Believers are united with Christ in His resurrection life. He also points to the new creation reality:

2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Personal Testimony: The Power of Right Believing

Pastor Leonard shares his personal testimony of being born again at age sixteen. He describes the joy and freedom he felt, but then how he was repeatedly told he was “just a sinner.” He explains how this message conflicted with the truth of the new creation, leading to confusion and struggle. He highlights how scriptures can be taken out of context:

Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

But he contrasts it with the completed work described later:

Romans 8:30: “Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

He emphasizes that believing right leads to living right, while wrong beliefs produce struggle.

The New Creation and Renewed Mind

Pastor Leonard explains that believers must put on their new identity by renewing their minds.

Ephesians 4:24: “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

He also points to the continuation of the new creation passage:

2 Corinthians 5:18: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”

God reconciled the world to Himself through Christ, no longer counting sins against them.

He adds:

Hebrews 10:14: “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

Through Christ’s one sacrifice, believers have been perfected forever.

Hindrance Two Removed: The Work Issue

The second hindrance removed is the idea that people must earn their way to God through works.

Pastor Leonard explains that many people feel they cannot approach God because they have not prayed enough, read enough, or attended church enough. But these actions do not determine their righteousness.

He reads:

Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Salvation is a gift, not a reward for effort.

Salvation as a Gift, Not a Reward

Pastor Leonard continues with another passage emphasizing salvation by grace:

Titus 3:5–7: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

He then points to Abraham as the example of righteousness apart from works:

Romans 4:1–2: “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as of the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”

Righteousness has always come by faith, not by works.

Living Free from Hindrances in God’s Love

Pastor Leonard concludes by saying that when believers understand that sin and works are no longer barriers, love for God will flow naturally. These truths create a love that no commandment or human effort could ever produce.

He closes with the assurance that nothing can separate believers from God’s love:

Romans 8:35: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

Nothing has the power to break the secure relationship believers have with God through Christ.

We hope this article blessed you and helped you see the richness of your secure relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Share this teaching with someone who needs to hear the good news of grace, righteousness, and the unbreakable love of God.