"Having a personal relationship with Jesus"?

[stccp]

I would like to know what exactly the following statement means.
**
“Having a personal relationship with Jesus”**

I see it often used in reference to non-Catholics, and increasingly more with Catholics also,
but I am not clear as to what it is referring to . Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Deb_H]

Its just what it sounds like . You have personal relationships with your friends , your family . Jesus wants to have that sort of relationship with you , and lots of protestants are taught that this is the “proof” of salvation and the only real need for salvation as well . Jesus wants you to hang out with Him … sit down somewhere and speak to him , all your heart , all your worries , all your joys … He wants to hear it because you are the apple of His eye ! You are important to Him all on your own . He also wants to convey to you the plans He has for your life . He may not do that in words , He may do it by bringing circumstances into your path . Not to say at all that every circumstance is God speaking to you .
Listening to our friends teaches us about them , Listen to God by reading your bible daily and going to mass to receive Him as often as possible .
Correct what few faults you may have with frequent confession and it will "turn up the volume " in your spiritual “ears” and you will hear Him even better .
Does any of this help ?

 

[fermat]

As I understand it, most Protestants claim that the most important thing is to have a ‘personal relationship with Jesus’. This tends to be an offspring of Sola Scriptura. Just me, Jesus and my bible.

I completely agree that it is absolutely critical that we have a personal relationship with Jesus. We need to know Him and the bible if we are to do what He commands. The problem comes up when the equation is limited to just that. Jesus also left us a teaching authority with His church. To ignore that in favor of the ‘personal relationship’ is wrong. We need to have both the understanding of the church and the personal relationship. At the end of the day, we know its really the same thing.

Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church

Ephesians 1:22
And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

 

[PAboy57]

A couple other ways to build your relationship with Jesus would include visiting Him in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He wants all of us to spend that special time with Him praying and talking like mentioned above.

Praying the Rosary will lead you to a closer relationship with the Blessed Virgin and she will lead you to her Son, Jesus. As Jesus is our intercessor with the Father, Mary does the same for us to Jesus. You might say her heavenly misssion is to bring as many souls possible to Jesus.

Both of the above have helped my heart and soul a great deal and has brought me peace. Instead of listening to music while exercising I think it is great opportunity to pour out you thoughts and prayers.

The bottom line is Jesus wants you to spend more time with Him. You have so many options to choose from.

Take care.

 

[stccp]

Yes - Thanks for your time.

Its just what it sounds like . You have personal relationships with your friends , your family . Jesus wants to have that sort of relationship with you , and lots of protestants are taught that this is the “proof” of salvation and the only real need for salvation as well . Jesus wants you to hang out with Him … sit down somewhere and speak to him , all your heart , all your worries , all your joys … He wants to hear it because you are the apple of His eye ! You are important to Him all on your own . He also wants to convey to you the plans He has for your life . He may not do that in words , He may do it by bringing circumstances into your path . Not to say at all that every circumstance is God speaking to you .
Listening to our friends teaches us about them , Listen to God by reading your bible daily and going to Mass to receive Him as often as possible .
Correct what few faults you may have with frequent confession and it will "turn up the volume " in your spiritual “ears” and you will hear Him even better .
Does any of this help ?

 

[mh2007]

Visiting with the living presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is awesome.

 

[scriabin]

The word “personal” can mean several things.

It can mean **heartfelt, deep commitment **in the soul. “Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength.” We Catholics can agree with this meaning.

It can also mean exclusiveness, as in “my faith relationship with Christ is my own personal concern, back off and mind your own business Mr. Pope Benedict.” This meaning of the word ‘personal’ in regards to faith is incorrect. We Catholics understand the body of Christ and our connectedness to it.

When I was a protestant we understood this phrase to include both of these senses. We were half right and completely wrong.