INTIMACY WITH CHRIST –
Going deeper in your relationship with Him
By W. G. Guy
In the past I have described believers who are merely “saved” with those who go deeper with the LORD in intimacy with Him. It is as if being “saved” brings you into the heavenly presence of the LORD which is like a huge mansion. Those who are saved have entered in, but are merely standing in the foyer. They have not experienced the depths of the blessing of this wonderful heavenly environment. They have not realized that there is a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, a library, etc. They have not gone deeper into the knowledge of all that God has prepared for them; thus they are missing out on many of God’s blessings.
There is so much more to being a child of God than just being “saved”, or “born-again”.
Ephesians 2:6 – and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 3:1-2 – If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Scripture tells us that we are to pursue the knowledge of the depths of God and His love; so that we can be filled with all that He wants for us; being conformed to His image and likeness, as was God’s original plan for man.
Ephesians 3:14-19 –For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Intimacy with Jesus Christ is to know and comprehend His ways, thoughts, desires and intentions; and how live and to do things His way, not your own, or man’s way.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you (as a husband knows his wife intimately): depart from me, ye that work iniquity (doing their own thing).
Consider the rest of Matthew 7 which is about building His house, in the believers, and doing it in obedience to His instructions.
Matthew 7:24-27 – Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
The one that is built man’s way is built on sand and it will collapse when the storms of life hit. The one built in obedience to His directions is built on solid rock and will stand against the storms of life. So there is much more for us to learn as we go deeper into our relationship and the knowledge of Him.
Hebrews 6:1-3 – Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection: not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
To know Him as much more than just our Savior, and more than as LORD, but to know Him as a joint heir, being one with Him; to be like Him.
1 John 3:1-3 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Obviously there are different levels of spiritual maturity among believers, as Jesus illustrated in the parable of the sower.
Matthew 13:23 – But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
The 30%, 60% and 100% represents how much of Jesus’ likeness in formed in us which determines our level of spiritual maturity. This is the result that Jesus said comes from sowing His seed (the Word) into good ground which requires cultivation, (which is lacking in many churches).
The process of growing to spiritual maturity requires us to face challenges that often cause us difficulties in this life. This is because of conflicts that we have with this world and it’s moral and carnal systems.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Sometimes we must endure corrective chastening from the LORD in order to correct something that is amiss in our lives. This chastening is often experienced by those who want to go deeper with the LORD as He requires more of us than of those who are not pursuing a deeper relationship with Christ.
Hebrews 12:5-11 – And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
There are times that the LORD wants us to STOP what we are doing so that we can get re-aligned with His directives. This also means that sConsider the example of Mary and Martha: Mary stopped ministering and sat down at Jesus feet to learn more of Him – going deeper in Him. You can’t receive from Him when you are constantly giving out, or ministering to others.
Luke 10:38-42 – Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
There is a time to stop your labor and come to rest before Him, so you can become more intimate and learn more of Him. This is going deeper in Him, becoming more intimate in your relationship.
Matthew 11:28-29 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
All believers should desire to go deeper with Jesus to increase their knowledge and fellowship with Him. The goal is to fulfill God’s plan and all that Jesus died for. To be conformed to His image and likeness.
