Spiritual Intimacy

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalms 46:10

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you…” James 4:8

You can be locally present yet very far away (as when we’re in the presence of the compulsive talker!). Relationships aren’t made by people being together, but by people sharing their personalities. A good marriage isn’t the result of two people actively, even aggressively, cohabiting, but of two people sharing their most intimate experiences (physical, emotional, spiritual).

The Bible uses the term “covenant” 298 times referring to God’s relationship with us and vice versa. Initially, in the Old Testament (the Old Covenant) a relationship with God is understood as a legal covenant: the concept of covenants the desert sheikhs made with one another. God knew we were missing the point. He knew a real relationship only grows out of love. So He introduced the New Covenant (the New Testament) in which He shows His limitless Love for us by becoming one of us and dying on the cross for us.

Many of us are sincerely seeking a relationship with God but are still functioning in the Old Covenant mode: we’re working hard at doing certain things, going certain places, accomplishing certain Christian goals, etc. It’s a form of spiritual score-keeping. That doesn’t work. You’ll forever be frustrated, and confused:

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law…the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,…. For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.” Romans 3:21-31

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

Romancing by appointment has benefits, but romancing as a spontaneous outburst of two hearts interacting is much more meaningful. There’s something to be said for setting aside a specific time of day everyday for prayer and devotion, but don’t underestimate the explosive value of stopping multiple times throughout your day “when the spirit moves you” and meditating “on the spot”---stopping in the midst of it all, focusing on God’s Presence, focusing on the Interaction of the Holy Spirit, and reading a brief portion of Scripture (either in a Bible or devotional).

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Frequent, spontaneous, meditation will increase intimacy with God! Try it, you’ll like it!

Blessing Always In All Ways,

Steve
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