You Think You Know Jesus? 5 Reasons a Relationship Hits Different

 Are you ready to deepen your faith and discover the true importance of a relationship with Jesus? In this episode of the "Where Is Your Voice Podcast," Erika shares five powerful reasons why knowing Jesus personally is essential for your spiritual journey. Through real-life stories, biblical wisdom, and heartfelt encouragement, you’ll learn how a relationship with Jesus brings peace, clarity, transformation, and true power to overcome life’s challenges. 

Timestamps: 

0:00 – Introduction 

1:00 – Who is Jesus? 

3:00 – Reason 1: Eternity in Heaven 

6:00 – Reason 2: Hearing the Holy Spirit 

9:00 – Reason 3: Following Jesus’ Commands 

12:00 – Reason 4: Inner Transformation 

15:00 – Reason 5: Power & Authority in Christ 

18:00 – How to Start a Relationship with Jesus 

20:00 – Final Encouragement 

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Transcript

 You Think You Know Jesus? 5 Reasons a Relationship Hits Different

You Think You Know Jesus? 5 Reasons a Relationship Hits Different

[00:00:00]

Introduction and Personal Testimony

I am sure you've seen it. Maybe you are one of those people where you go to church and you read your Bible from time to time you've been saved, maybe even baptized. But that's as far as it goes. And no shade here. Because I was just like you. I went to church. I was raised in church. I even spoke in tongues.

I was baptized and everyone knew I was a Christian, even though I didn't truly know what that entailed. So before I jump in, my name is Erica and welcome to Where Is Your Voice Podcast. And today's episode is titled Five Reasons Why It Is Important to Have a Relationship with Jesus. Let's get into it. 

Who is Jesus?

So first off, who is Jesus to you matters.[00:01:00]

Most importantly, if someone was to ask me this question today, it's quick and simple. Jesus is Lord. But before I may have answered like Jesus is the Almighty, he is head over everything and may not have even known. That Jesus and God are the same. So just in case you don't know, Jesus is the face of God.

He is God. God is Jesus in the flesh, and he came down to earth as a baby to teach us, save us. And make sure we have eternal life. So if anyone asks you that question, now you know Jesus is Lord. In first John chapter four, verse one through four says, dear friends, do not believe every spirit, [00:02:00] but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

This is how you can recognize the spirit of God. Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

So as I read, if you can't admit that Jesus is Lord, that means you are not a believer nor a child of God. The text says to test those with this question to see if they are really from God. Acknowledging this is a [00:03:00] must. So the first step. To even gaining a relationship with Jesus is acknowledging who he is to you.

Reason 1: Eternal Life

Okay, so now reason number one, why it is important to have a relationship with Jesus is so you can gain eternity in heaven. If you don't have a relationship with Jesus, you will not be able to enter the kingdom of God. In John chapter 14, verse six says, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Then in Matthew chapter seven, verse 21 through 23. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the ones who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say [00:04:00] to me on that day, Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesize in your name and in your name, drive out demons and then your name perform many miracles?

Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you away from me, you evil doers. This verse is allowing you to see that it is not just about saying you believe in Jesus. It is not just about doing the will of Jesus. It's about having a relationship with Jesus. This is why he says, but Lord. Didn't we drive out demons in your name?

And Jesus is saying, yes, you did do that, but you forgot one important thing to get to know me because what you did was out of works and not love because how can you say you love Jesus if you don't know Jesus? 

Reason 2: Hearing the Holy Spirit

[00:05:00] Okay, so reason number two, why it is important to have a relationship with Jesus is so you can hear the Holy Spirit clearer.

Now, think about your mom. Let's say you were at the mall with your mom and the mall is busy. People everywhere and you wander off. So your mom starts screaming your name. You don't see her, but you can hear her clearly. You know, what's your mom's voice? Even though the mom's packed people are everywhere, you know, it's your mom's voice.

How do you know what your mom's voice screaming? Your name? It could be someone else, like a friend you may have ran into. I mean, it's the mall. It could be anyone screaming your name that knows you, but you know for a fact it's your mom's voice. And how do you know this? Because you have a relationship with [00:06:00] your mom, so you know her voice.

You know her voice so well. Nobody else can mimic it. You would know if they were trying to mimic and probably ask them, why are you trying to mimic my mom? I know what she sounds like. You can't fool me. Well, guess what? Jesus' voice is the same way.

Okay. Once we start to have a relationship with him, we will know his voice over everyone else. Voice over our own voice, the enemy's voice and our friend's voice. Jesus' voice will be clear to us. And John chapter 10, verse 27 through 28, it says, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice.

I know them and they follow me.

Here's some things to take note of in this verse. One. [00:07:00] He says, only my sheep know my voice and listen, because I know them. What does that indicate? A relationship. The next is he says, if you don't hear, his voice is because you are not my sheep, and you have a lack of belief. , and third.

Reason 3: Following Jesus' Commands

His sheep hear his voice and follow him, which leads me to reason number three, Why you need to have a relationship with Jesus is because you can't follow him nor his command if you don't have a relationship with him. Jesus just said, my sheep know my voice and follow me.

And in John chapter 10, verse four through five, it when he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them. [00:08:00] And his sheep follow him because they know his voice, but they will never follow a stranger. In fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.

Again, Jesus says his, she will follow him and if anyone else is posing as Jesus like a false prophet or antichrist, the she will know because they will not hear Jesus' voice and will run from them. This is why now today. It is certain people that claim Jesus, that I automatically can tell they are really not about Jesus because when they speak, I don't hear Jesus.

I don't hear any anointing coming from them, so I flee right away. Then the follow Jesus is to also follow his commands, , which you will want to do because now you love him. And you have him in your [00:09:00] heart. In First John chapter two, verse three through five, it says, we know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.

Whoever says, I know him but does not do what he commands is a liar. And the truth is not in that person, but if anyone obeys his word. Love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. So as you heard in that verse, it says, whoever claims to know him.

But does not do, his commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. And this also confirms how we come to know him. Meaning the more we know him, the more we will want to do the will of God. [00:10:00] And this is how we know we are in him or he is in us. 

Reason 4: Transformation from Within

Reason number four, why it is important to have a relationship with Jesus is so you can be transformed from the inside out, your mind, your desires, your addictions.

I was raised in church, always said I was a believer, but I didn't know how important a relationship with Jesus was. I thought my relationship with Jesus was based on works. So if I was sinning, I stopped praying, going to church because I thought God was mad at me. This used to drain me and my mind was riddled with anxiety, addictions, depression, fear, rejection issues, boundary issues, validation issues.

The list goes on. Then I will go back to church, but. Never see any real results. One day [00:11:00] this preacher told me in a harsh way that I need to meet Jesus for myself and stop trying to find Jesus through people. I was confused honestly at the time about that statement, but that's when I started to focus on having a relationship with Jesus.

Then over the course, my mind truly started to transform because. Jesus works on us from the inside out. . Then he opened my eyes to the truth of this world and how we chase the pride of life, lust of eyes and lust of the flesh. He started to free me from one issue to the next, and it's still working on me.

But all that work happens inside of us. When we have a relationship with Jesus. Let's be real. This world is loud, [00:12:00] stressful, and full of pressure. It can leave you overwhelmed, anxious, or feeling completely lost. But when you have a relationship with Jesus, you gain something the world can't offer. True peace.

John chapter 14, verse 27 says, peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Jesus doesn't just give peace. He is peace. Isaiah chapter nine, verse six Calls him. A wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of Peace.

He's the prince of peace, and when you walk with him, that peace becomes your portion. But here's the key. Peace [00:13:00] doesn't just drop out of the sky. It comes from a transformed mind. Romans chapter 12, verse two says, do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing, and perfect will. When your mind is renewed by Jesus. Anxiety turns into assurance. Worry turns into worship, confusion turns into clarity. This is how we obtain peace, not just temporary relief, but deep lasting, soul level peace that the world can't take away.

Peace is not found in a vibe. A vacation, or a self-care routine is found in Jesus. [00:14:00] Okay. 

Reason 5: Power and Authority in Christ

Lastly, reason number five, why it's important to have a relationship with Jesus is so you will have power and authority in Christ to overcome sin and the enemy. .

Here's the truth. You can't overcome sin, temptation, our spiritual warfare and your own strength. You might hold it together for a while, but eventually the enemy will find your weak spot unless you're walking in the power and authority of Jesus Christ. When you have a real relationship with Jesus, you don't just get saved, you get sealed, filled and authorized.

Romans chapter eight, verse 11 says, but if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelling you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his [00:15:00] spirit that dwell in you. That means the same spirit. That raised Jesus from the dead now lives inside of you.

That's not small. That's resurrection power, and that power is what helps you say no to sin. Resist the devil and walk in victory. But if you try to use the name of Jesus without actually knowing him, that's dangerous.

There's a sobering story in Acts chapter 19 that shows what happens when people try to claim authority without relationship. So Acts 19, 13, 16 says, then certain. Of the Vagabond Jews, exorcists took upon them to call over them, which had evil spirits. The name of the Lord Jesus saying, we adjure you by [00:16:00] Jesus whom Paul preaches.

And there were seven sons of one Sifa, a Jew, and the chief of the preach, which did so and the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus, I know and Paul I know, but who are ye. And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them and overcame them and prevailed against them. So they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

The demons knew Jesus. They even knew Paul, but they didn't know them. Why? Because they had no real relationship with Jesus. They were using the name without walking in the authority. That's why a relationship with Jesus is not optional. It's essential. You needed to live holy.

You needed to fight spiritual battles. You needed to walk in [00:17:00] victory. Luke chapter 10, verse 19 reminds us what Jesus gave to those who truly follow him. Behold, I give unto you the power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Then in Mark chapter 16, verse 17 through 18 says, and these signs shall follow them that believe in my name, shall they cast out devils.

They shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Okay, that's not for the churchgoers who only claim Jesus on Sunday. That's for disciples. Those who know him, follow him and walk with him daily.

You can't fake authority in the spirit, [00:18:00] but when you have a relationship with Jesus, you walk in real power, not just to resist sin, but to conquer darkness. Now before we wrap up. 

Common Misconceptions and Final Thoughts

I have to speak to some common misconceptions because I lived in them for years. Going to church is not the same as having a relationship with Jesus.

You can sit in a pew every Sunday and still not know him. Serving in ministry is not the same as an intimacy with Christ. You can preach, sing, or volunteer and still be spiritually dead inside. And your pastor's relationship with Jesus can't cover you. You can't get to heaven off someone else. Faith. You can't borrow their oil like the foolish virgins in Matthew 25 tried to do.

This is personal. [00:19:00] Salvation is not religion. It's not routine. It is not checking boxes. It's relationship. And that starts with acknowledging your need for a savior. So how do you get a relationship with Jesus? It starts with repentance. Not just saying sorry, but turning away from your old life and turning fully to him.

Romans Chapter 10, verse nine says, if thou shall confess what my mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thy heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. You confess, you believe, you surrender. Then you begin to seek Him daily, not just for what he can give you.

But for who he is, Jesus said in Matthew chapter six, verse 33, but seek ye first the [00:20:00] kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. That means when you seek him first before success, before relationship, before status, everything else you need will follow. Not everything you want, but everything that aligns with his will and your purpose.

You don't just know about him. You walk with him. You put him first. You live for him. If you've been going through the motions, if you've been dependent on your church attendance, your family's faith. Or your own Goodness. I'm telling you right now, that won't save you. Only Jesus can, but the good news.

He's not far from you. He's waiting arms open. So today, don't [00:21:00] just ask yourself, do I go to church? Ask yourself, do I know Jesus? Does he know me? Because at the end of the day, that's what matters most. So anyway, I hope this encouraged you and have a wonderful day.