The keys to having an intimate relationship with God

As Christians grow in spiritual maturity, we are hungry for an intimate relationship with God and Jesus, but at the same time, we feel confused about how to proceed.

The keys to having an intimate relationship with God
How do you approach an invisible God? How do you have a conversation with someone who doesn't answer audibly?

Our confusion begins with the word "intimate", which has weakened due to our culture's obsession with sex. The essence of an intimate relationship, especially with God, requires sharing.

God has already shared himself with you through Jesus
The Gospels are remarkable books. Although they are not exhaustive biographies of Jesus of Nazareth, they do give us a convincing portrait of him. If you read these four reports carefully, you will come away knowing the secrets of his heart.

The more you study the writings of and about the four apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the better you will understand Jesus, who is God who revealed us in the flesh. When you meditate on his parables, you will discover the love, compassion and tenderness that flow from him. As you read thousands of years ago about the healing of Jesus, you begin to understand that our living God can reach heaven and touch your life today. By reading the Word of God, your relationship with Jesus begins to take on a new and deeper meaning.

Jesus revealed his emotions. He became angry about injustice, showed concern for the hungry crowd of his followers and cried when his friend Lazarus died. But the biggest thing is how you, personally, can make this knowledge of Jesus yours. He wants you to know about him.

What sets the Bible apart from other books is that through it, God speaks to individuals. The Holy Spirit explains the scripture so that it becomes a love letter written specifically for you. The more you desire a relationship with God, the more personal that letter becomes.

God wants to share you
When you are intimate with someone else, you trust them enough to share your secrets. Like God, Jesus already knows everything about you anyway, but when you choose to tell him what is hidden deep within you, it shows that you trust him.

Trust is difficult. You've probably been betrayed by other people, and when it happened, maybe you swore you'd never reopen. But Jesus loved you and trusted you first. He gave his life for you. That sacrifice earned him your trust.

Many of our secrets are sad. It hurts to lift them up again and give them to Jesus, but this is the way of intimacy. If you want the closest relationship with God, you have to risk opening your heart. There is no other way.

When you share yourself in a relationship with Jesus, when you often talk to him and go out in faith, he will reward you by giving you more of himself. Going out takes courage and takes time. Restrained by our fears, we can only go beyond through the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.

Give it time to grow
At first, you may not notice any difference in your connection with Jesus, but for weeks and months the Bible verses will take on new meaning for you. The bond will become stronger. In small doses, life will make more sense. You will gradually feel that Jesus is there, listening to your prayers, answering through the scriptures and suggestions in your heart. A certainty will come to you that something wonderful is happening.

God never turns anyone away looking for him. He will give you all the help you need to build an intense and intimate relationship with him.

Beyond sharing for fun
When two people are close, they don't need words. Husbands and wives, as well as best friends, know the pleasure of simply being together. They can enjoy each other's company, even in silence.

It may seem blasphemous that we can enjoy Jesus, but the old Westminster catechism states that it is part of the meaning of life:

Q. What is the main boss of man?
A. The main purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
We glorify God by loving and serving him, and we can do it better when we have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, his Son. As an adopted member of this family, you have the right to also enjoy your Father God and your Savior.

You were destined for intimacy with God through Jesus Christ. It is your most important call now and for all eternity.