Intimacy

Ironically intimacy with God has become quite the religious phrase. The irony, of course, is intimacy with God is the antithesis of religion!

But really, think about it, what does intimacy really mean? Ya, ya, I know; into me you see and all that. That still doesn’t mean anything to me!

Now stay with me here as I try and connect some dots.

I like the word “abide”, you have to look at the word and figure out what it means. My simple definition of abide is: to live with and to know about.

When Jesus says abide in me he is inviting us to actually live with him and have a relationship where we know each other.

But just like intimacy, abide also carries with it that religiousness. So instead of abide I like just what Jesus says in John 17: I in you and you in me.

The reality of Jesus is that he is that close to you and me. He can actually live inside of each one of us. Jesus actually wants to be that close.

This is what blasts religion out of the water. Jesus in us makes sure that our actions and behavior honor the Father and demonstrate the Kingdom of God.

When we get a deeper understanding of Christ in us we will see our behavior change to Kingdom values. We will see our identity change to Kingdom reality. We will see our passions show the heart of God.

This Christian thing begins and ends with us wrestling with the truth of Jesus in us.