A Saving Relationship with Christ
All Christians wish to have a saving relationship with Christ, our Savior.
It is the only way that we can receive the gift of eternal life upon His return.
Jesus went to the cross bearing the sins of the world. It was the only way to redeem us.
"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29 KJV)
John the Baptist declared, as he watched Jesus approaching the river Jordon.
Many professed Christians seem to be confused about this very important detail of our salvation.
A saving relationship with Christ is necessary if we expect to be chosen to enter His new kingdom.
Repentance is also necessary. Sin cannot dwell in the presence of God. How do I know this? Let’s go back to Sinai and discover some truth from God’s word:
Exodus 19:12 (NKJV)
“You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.’”
Exodus 19:21 (NKJV)
“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the Lord, and many of them perish.’”
In Exodus 19, God descends on Mount Sinai in fire, smoke, and thunder. The holiness of His presence is so overwhelming that He commands Moses to set boundaries so the people cannot come near. Anyone who crossed the boundary would die—not because God was cruel, but because His holiness is lethal to sinful humanity.
Also, when Moses ascended the mountain for the first time:
Exodus 3:4–5 (NKJV)
“So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’”
Context
This is Moses’ first encounter with the living God.
He is not yet leading Israel, not yet at Sinai. God stops him from coming closer and commands him to remove his sandals—an act of humility and recognition of divine holiness.
The very ground where God was present was made Holy, and everything that Moses’ shoes touched after this would also become Holy, putting many in peril if they walked where he walked.
Sin in any form will be destroyed upon His return, so a turning away - repentance - is needed.
The forgiveness of sin is also needed, and only God can forgive sin: No man has that power.
Believing in God is a must, of course, and having faith in the one who died for your sins is another.
So we can see that even though salvation is a gift from God, there are some conditions involved.
We cannot say “I believe in God and Jesus” and continue in a life of sin. I see some professed Christians walking into a church and later the same day see them posting on social media, sitting in a bar for a few drinks with friends.
Is it acceptable for a Christian to drink alcohol? God doesn’t think it is. Shall I pull up some passages on this subject?
Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
Takeaway: Alcohol deceives and destroys judgment.
I know this firsthand, as alcohol led me astray for many years. Praise God for taking it away from me.
Proverbs 23:29–30
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow…? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.”
Takeaway: A vivid warning that habitual drinking leads to misery.
Proverbs 23:31–32
“Do not look on the wine when it is red… At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.”
Takeaway: Alcohol looks appealing but ends with pain and destruction.
Isaiah 5:11
“Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink.”
Takeaway: God pronounces woe on those enslaved to alcohol.
Isaiah 5:22
“Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink.”
Takeaway: God condemns those who pride themselves on drinking.
Habakkuk 2:15
“Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor… to make him drunk.”
Takeaway: God condemns causing others to stumble through alcohol.
Ephesians 5:18
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.”
Takeaway: Drunkenness is contrasted with Spirit-filled living.
1 Corinthians 6:10
“…nor drunkards… will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Takeaway: Persistent drunkenness is listed among sins that separate people from God.
Do these passages condone drinking alcohol? Some argue that Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding; thus, they attempt to justify drinking. Again, context is everything when reading and studying God’s word. Jesus did not drink alcohol! He turned that into pure grape juice. The best anyone would ever have.
I dwelled on the subject of alcohol because it is one of the most acceptable sins of society that Satan has implemented.
For everything good that God creates, there is an opposite that Satan comes up with.
So how do we enter into a saving relationship with God?
A Saving Relationship With God: The Steps (Based on Steps to Christ by E G white)
1. Recognize Your Need
A saving relationship begins when you sense the deep spiritual hunger inside—the awareness that something is missing. Steps to Christ opens with the truth that humanity is broken, powerless to fix itself, and in desperate need of divine help.
This is where conviction begins.
2. Understand God’s Love for You
Before you take a single step toward God, you must know He has already taken every step toward you.
White emphasizes that the entire plan of salvation is rooted in God’s love—shown in creation, providence, Scripture, and most of all, Jesus Christ.
You don’t come to a harsh judge; you come to a loving Father.
3. Look to Jesus and His Sacrifice
A saving relationship is built on Christ’s finished work.
White stresses that the cross reveals both the seriousness of sin and the depth of God’s love.
Seeing Jesus lifted up softens the heart and awakens repentance.
4. Repent—Turn Away From Sin
Repentance is not self‑generated; it is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
It includes:
sorrow for sin
a desire to be changed
a turning away from the old life
White is clear: you don’t clean yourself up before coming to Christ. You come as you are, and He produces repentance within you.
5. Confess Your Sins Honestly
Confession is specific, sincere, and transparent.
It means agreeing with God about your sin and laying it openly before Him.
White emphasizes that confession brings freedom, not shame, because Christ already bore the guilt.
6. Surrender Your Life to God
This is the hinge point of the entire book.
Surrender means:
yielding your will
giving God your plans
choosing His way over your own
allowing Him to reshape your desires
White describes surrender as the hardest step—but also the most liberating.
7. Believe God Accepts You
Faith is trusting that God keeps His promises.
White teaches that faith is not a feeling; it is choosing to believe that:
God forgives you
Christ’s righteousness covers you
You are accepted in Him
This is where assurance begins.
8. Receive Christ as Your Personal Savior
A saving relationship is not theoretical—it is personal.
You invite Christ to live in your heart, to take control, to be your Lord and Savior.
White describes this as the moment the heart becomes Christ’s home.
9. Walk Daily With Him
Salvation is a relationship, not a one‑time event.
Daily steps include:
prayer
Bible reading
obedience
trust
continual surrender
White compares this to abiding in the vine—constant connection brings constant life.
10. Grow Through the Holy Spirit
The Spirit produces transformation:
new desires
new habits
new character
new power over sin
White emphasizes that growth is gradual, like a plant.
The key is staying connected to Christ.
11. Share What God Has Done for You
A saving relationship naturally overflows.
White closes the book with the idea that witnessing strengthens faith and deepens joy.
You become a living testimony of God’s grace.
To read a digital copy of the book Steps To Christ, visit this link
Until next time, when I discuss who the remnant are… May God bless you with His word today.
