In a survey of six different versions (King James Version, American Standard, Revised Standard Version, Mofatt, New International Version, New American Standard Bible) the term "relationship" rarely appears. One instance is in Matthew 19:10 of the NASB. The Greek word there does not mean "relationship" in any sense of the English word; it simply means "cause" or "reason." Matthew uses it about the sexual relationship between a man and his wife, not about one’s relationship to God.

This sexual connotation seems to be the prevalent usage of "relationship" in modern culture. Consider how as late as the 1940s unfaithfulness in marriage was called "adultery." In the 50s and 60s it was referred to as "an affair." After the so called sexual revolution it was legitimatized as merely an acceptable "relationship."

This being the case, why do Christian preachers and teachers use the word "relationship" with its worldly significance to describe what it means to become a Christian—especially when the older biblical terms are still valid, expressive, and meaningful? "Convert" is used to describe the act of becoming a Christian in many versions (see Acts 3:19; 15:3; James 5:19, 20). It is used by Jesus of a religious change in Matthew 18:3 (KJV, NASB); and by John about being converted (KJV, NASB). The basic meaning of the words used in these places is "to turn" and is so translated in other versions.

Conversion certainly is a turning away from Satan to God, from the world to Jesus, from sin to godliness, from fear to courage, from despair to hope, from bondage to freedom. Why have we neglected such great themes as suggested by "be converted"?

Take the term "be saved," which suggests everything to do with our salvation, reconciliation, justification, regeneration, redemption, adoption, election—all of which are metaphors for what happens when we become Christians.

Jesus used the term "be saved" in Mark 16:16; Peter in Acts 2:21; Luke in describing what happened to those responding to the gospel in Acts 2:47. Peter claimed that salvation came only through Jesus (Acts 4:12). Even an angel said Peter would tell Cornelius what to do to be saved (Acts 11:14). Paul told the Philippian jailor what to do to be saved. It was a vital part of Paul’s preaching (Romans 5:9).

The idea of the word so translated means to he delivered from some evil. Certainly becoming a Christian delivers us from sin to righteousness, from evil to good, from the power of Satan to the power of God, from the spirit of the world to the Holy Spirit’s fruits, from Hell to Heaven.

All this being true, why do we substitute such a non-descriptive phrase as "coming into a relationship" to describe salvation today? Of course, we do come into some very important relationships, but it would be better to describe how we are converted or saved than to discuss specifically what true relationships this attains.

I’ve heard many younger Christians describe their conversion simply as "coming into a relationship with God." When I was their age, I would have described my experience at 12 as "being converted" (saved, becoming a Christian, accepting Christ).

In our relationship to God, he becomes our Father and we his children. In regard to Christ, he becomes our Savior. But he is also our Lord. He is called Lord about 400 times in the New Testament and Savior about 20. Many want him as Savior but not as Lord. "Lord" means master or owner. As Lord we must obey and serve him. Paul emphasizes that we are Christ’s slaves, a word meaning to be bound to another. You seldom see this thought in postmodern discussions of our relationship with deity.

Perhaps Jesus is thinking, "You call me Lord, and do not serve me; you call me Savior and do not love me; you call me Teacher and do not learn of me; you call me the Word and do not listen; you call me Leader and do not follow; you call me the Way and do not walk with me; you call me Friend and do not fellowship with me; you call me Lamb and do not partake of me; you call me Author and do not read of me; you call me Prince and do not honor me."

What kind of relationship do you have with Jesus Christ? |L

OTHER COLUMNS:
November 15, 2009 - Bringing Christ to French Guiana
November 1, 2009 - Walking the edge
October 18, 2009 - Watch what you say
October 4, 2009 - Proposing a new proverb
September 20, 2009 - Fear and trembling
September 6, 2009 - Elwyn
August 23, 2009 - Where did the Bible go?
August 9, 2009 - The public school: a local mission field
July 26, 2009 - Astonishing the judges
July 12, 2009 - Letting the past go
June 28, 2009 - Line up
June 14, 2009 - The path to spiritual growth
May 31, 2009 - A tribute to one of my heroes
May 17, 2009 - Silent soldier
April 19, 2009 - Operation Resensitization
April 5, 2009 - The temptations of ministers
March 8, 2009 - Conversation over shoes
February 22, 2009 - By their plurals you shall know them
February 8, 2009 - What is missing from your retirement plans?
January 25, 2009 - Turn the page
December 28, 2008 - Abba, Father
December 14, 2008 - Elementary truths
November 30, 2008 - The illusion
October 19, 2008 - Acting like a toddler
October 5, 2008 - Don’t miss this
September 21, 2008 - Foolish schemes
September 7, 2008 - God’s hand is everywhere
August 24, 2008 - The dance
August 10, 2008 - Strange land
July 27, 2008 - God’s amazing grace
July 13, 2008 - A best seller
June 29, 2008 - My grandfather’s clock and worship
June 1, 2008 - Reclaiming the name
May 4, 2008 - God is not our fairy godmother
April 6, 2008 - Success: what is it and who can measure up?
March 9, 2008 - Need to know
February 10, 2008 - The top three myths of singleness
January 13, 2008 - By invitation only
December 5, 2007 - Yes, Abbie, there is a Jesus
November 18, 2007 - 10 Ways to be a good Christmas customer
October 21, 2007 - The dividing line
September 23, 2007 - What do you fear?
September 9, 2007 - A life well lived
August 26, 2007 - To murmur, or not to murmur
July 29, 2007 - The cross and the Christian
July 15, 2007 - Turning the other cheek: still a valuable biblical principle
July 1, 2007 - Why the tie?
June 3, 2007 - The death of a son
May 6, 2007 - A prayer for the dying
April 8, 2007 - The omnipresent God
March 11, 2007 - Do the Amish have superheroes?
February 11, 2007 - What’s your black history?
January 14, 2007 - The split branch
December 31, 2006 - The house of regret
December 10, 2006 - The redemption of the innkeeper
November 26, 2006 - Too many choices
November 12, 2006 - Break the bashing habit: Learning to love the unsaved like Christ does: November 12, 2006
October 15, 2006 - Be ‘salt and light’ this Christmas!: October 15, 2006
September 17, 2006 - Who is a legalist?: September 17, 2006 Issue 38
July 23, 2006 - God speaks through our brokenness: July 23, 2006 Issue 38
June 25, 2006 - 'What I am looking for in my church leaders'