The idea of a "personal relationship with Jesus Christ" is a recent protestant notion that I do not hold to. My relationship with Jesus Christ is one of a subject and a King.
I spent two years trying to be a good Christian but it wasn't working for me because it was all just religion and I needed to know God on a personal level. I read in the Bible that there were people who met God and fellowshiped with Him as a friend. I wanted to have that too. So, one night I went out into the middle of a park near my home and told God that religion wasn't working for me and I might as well give it all up if I didn't get to meet Him personally. So I introduced myself to God. I said, "You are God, and I am me. I'm very glad to meet you."
What happened then was amazing! It was not an emotional experience because it was a cold night. It wasn't a church-based experience either. But one moment I didn't know God, and the next moment I felt all lit up in side, and I knew God! Then something else happened that had never happened before. A very strong thought came into my mind which I had never had before. It seemed that God said to me, "We have been waiting for this for a long time." I asked, "What have you been waiting for?" He replied, "We have been waiting for you to get beyond the religious stuff and to come to Me directly." Then I asked God every question I could think of, and He answered every one. This happened in April 1969, and the personal awareness of God being with me has never left me through all the ups and downs of my life. In the darkest period of my life it seemed that Jesus came, put His hand on my shoulder and said, "I am your Refuge and Strength; a very present help in time of trouble." At another dark period, I told God that when I stand before Him in the judgment, I would say, "My only qualification for getting into Your heaven is that Jesus died for me on the cross." He replied, "That's all you need...and by the way...that's all you ever needed!" These encounters with the living God were life changing times and cemented my faith in Jesus like nothing else could.
He gave me a promise: "If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me." And, "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him." If you don't know God on a personal level like that, then He promises you that if you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him, and He will reveal Himself to you.
But He will never reveal Himself to you in any way that contradicts His written Word. These days when God talks to me and confirms something to me it is always as a verse of Scripture. I have never memorised Scripture, but when He wants to give me a Scripture, He does, and it is phenomenal how that it is always exactly the right one for me.
Three weeks ago He told me to re-read the Bible right through from Genesis to Revelation. I am now up to Acts. After 50 years of studying the Bible, I am still finding things in there I never knew were there, and these have given me new insights into Himself and His plan for us. It quite significant that when the devil hits me with a condemnation bomb and I seek God about it, I am flooded with Scripture that counteracts it and solidly restores my faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross for me.
So, don't underestimate God's willingness and ability to establish a personal, supportive communication with you that will last you a lifetime of blessing and assurance of His love for you. God is the most joyful, kind patient and gentle Person I have ever met, and He can be that way for you as well.
