True Intimacy!

The issue of intimacy with Christ was preached last Saturday by Pastor Richie, this past Sunday by Pastor Martha, and Monday by Pastor Sam.

• It is intimacy that opens the door to prophetic revelation.
• It is intimacy that moves us from being servants of God to being friends of God and lovers of His Christ.
• It is intimacy that brings passion to our Christian walk and changes our rationale for why we do what we do.

Sometimes Christian living is viewed as a simple set of rules—things we ought do, and things we ought not do. The activity of Christianity is understood and expressed as a dutiful response to what God has done for us. So, there is obedience, but there is no real relationship. It is like the child who cleans her room and brushes her teeth not because she is happy to do things that please her father, but because she wishes to avoid the reprimand that might come from him if she did not do these “expected” things.

But, for some Christians, their Christian living is an outflow of their love relationship with God. Our pastors reinforced the point over this past weekend: Intimate love produces joyful obedience. We toss out the list of what we want to have and do, and instead we beg God to place us wherever He chooses so that His program and purpose will be accomplished in the earth. “Lord, do it through us” becomes our prayer.

And yes, we must pray this with a depth of love. When intimacy with God is our passion, even “rote” prayers become infused with His joy. The Lord’s Prayer, so familiar that it seems it could be recited even in our sleep, takes on a new life. It is filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Intimacy with God opens up the eyes to see how precious every petition is. As Reverend Gabbidon so wonderfully instructed us last autumn, even the act of saying “Our Father” reveals the intimacy of our relationship with Christ as our Brother; Jesus is present with us as we petition our Lord God. Who better to stand with us than the One who loved us even before we knew Him?

The sermons we’ve heard over the past weekend beg a question, or perhaps even a series of questions.

Do we love God?

Do we passionately desire to spend time with God?

Is God’s priority our priority?

Do we know, scripturally, what God desires of us and from us?

Does our deep love of God extend to compassionate care for people?

Lord, You have told us countless times that there are a set of people who will live their lives working for You, but on the Great Day will not enter into Your kingdom because You never knew them. Lord, help us to know You. Lord, be our food and drink and air.  Be our rest and our joy. Be our Lover and Companion. Build in us a deep longing for You, a desire that only finds satisfaction in Your Presence. How we love You Lord. Teach us. Keep teaching us. We want You more than anything. We love You.