IF YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE “INTIMACY” WITH GOD!
Matt. 6:9-14; 2 Cor. 6:16-18
“God made us for Himself, and we are restless until we find our rest in Him.” (Augustine). The rest we desperately need is realized in INTIMACY with our heavenly Father, which God is ever seeking in our relationship with Him. And God does not have favorites, but He has something better. He has “intimates.” What is intimacy? This word comes from the Latin word INTIMUS, which means to know one from the most innermost to the uttermost. Alas, most believers only know God in the forgiveness of their sins but they do not know the ways or the mind of God. Israel knew the “acts of God, but Moses knew the ways of God.” (Psalm 103:7).
The question, then, is, “How can we develop intimacy with our heavenly Father?” James 4:8 promises, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” So you are as near to God as you want, but the nearness is not automatic. You must develop it primarily through the internalization of the Word of God and prayer, and believe it or not, the Lord’s Prayer is the basic formula for true intimacy. Please not the following acts involved:
1) WE MUST SURRENDER OUR WILL TO HIS WILL – The very first words in the Lord’s Prayer is “Our Father…hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done (in me) on earth as it is in heaven…” This calls for perfect obedience, not partial. Surrender in a word is to internalize the Word and obey it. Internalize Jesus’ promise in John 14:21.
2) WE MUST CONSTANTLY CONFESS AND FORSAKE ALL SIN – “Forgive us our trespasses” (Matt. 6:12).Of commission, omission, and secret (Ps. 19:12). Any tolerated sin separates us from God and destroys intimacy (Isa. 59:1-3; Ps. 66:18). Personally testimony.
3) WE MUST FORGIVE OTHERS FOR ALL THEIR SINS – Unforgiveness towards our brothers breaks intimacy with God. Not to be right with your brother is not to be right with God (Matt. 5:23-24; 1 John 4:20), especially your wife (1 Pet. 3:7).
4) WE MUST BE CAREFUL TO STAY AWAY FROM ANY PLACE OR PERSON THAT WOULD TEMPT US TO DO EVIL – “Lead us not into temptation…” (Matt 6:9ff). As God commanded in 2 Cor. 6:16-18, “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” “Friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). Note: Many believers destroy intimacy on Saturday night and day dream in church on Sunday. Vance Havner said, “Most churches are sound – sound asleep.”
5) WE MUST SEEK THE LORD WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS – “You shall seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart” (Jer. 29:13). Jacob – “I will not let go until you bless me” (Gen. 32:26). See also James 5:16 and Mark 11:24. God does not hear the double-minded (James 1:5-8).
6) WE MUST STAY WITH IT WHEN IT IS EASY AND ALSO HARD – “Pray the hardest when it is hardest to pray.” “Pray when you feel like it, when you don’t feel like it, and until you feel like it.” (Steven Oxford).
7) YOU MUST “UNCLUTTER” YOUR MIND AND SEEK TO BE SINGLE–MINDED IN YOUR LOVE FOR JESUS – “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.” (Henry Thoreau). You may have to admit that your life is frittered away by detail. Heed the warning of 2 Cor. 11:2-4 and the encouragement of Ps. 27:4.
WONDERFUL RESULTS OF INTIMACY: PEACE, PATIENCE, POWER, PURPOSE, PERSEVERENCE, PRESENCE, PERCEPTION. In a word, “conformity to Christ” or Christ likeness. “In your presence is fullness of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore” (Ps. 16:11). “A calm hour with God is worth a lifetime with man.” (Robert Murray McCheny).