Do You Want to Grow in Your Relationship With God This Year?

A better, closer relationship with God is on the minds of many as 2025 has given way to the first few days of 2026. We spent time on Sunday evening thinking through what a “real” relationship with God looks like, what it takes, and why it matters using the example of young King Josiah in 2 Kings 22-23. Listen to the way his life is summarized in 23:25:

Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.

Josiah had a real relationship with God. How did that happen? Some simple points can be drawn from those two chapters.

1. Josiah heard what God had communicated (22:1-10)
2. Josiah humbled himself before God (22:11-20)
3. Josiah made a covenant with God (23:1-3)
4. Josiah removed what dishonored God (23:4-20, 24)
5. Josiah observed and kept what God had prescribed (23:21-23)

As today’s Bible reading turns to Titus 3, it’s fascinating that the same basic building blocks get prescribed in the New Testament. If you want a real relationship with God…

You have to hear what he has communicated.

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Remind them… (Tit 2:15-3:1)

You have to humble yourself before him.

…to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared… (3:1-4)

You’ll make a covenant with him.

…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (3:5-7)

You’ll remove what dishonors him.

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. (3:9-11)

You’ll observe and keep what he has prescribed.

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (3:8)

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (3:14)

This is how God has always convicted, turned, and transformed human hearts. These are the building blocks of any healthy, authentic relationship. Communication. Humility. Mutual love and respect. The removal of what dishonors. Whole-hearted devotion.

Do you want to grow in your relationship with God this year? Old and New Testaments describe a simple pattern.

1. Hear what he has communicated.
2. Humble yourself before him.
3. Make a covenant with him.
4. Remove what dishonors him.
5. Observe and keep what he has prescribed.

Want to dive deeper?

In the meantime, how is your relationship with God, really?