INTIMACY WITH GOD
God created us for intimacy with him!
Everything is made ready for you to have that intimate relationship – to sit at the table – to partake – to know his presence, to hear his voice.
It matters not how long you have been a Christian – from the start of your life of faith, God wants that intimate relationship with you!
And, it is the Spirit that makes the things of God real to us!
The key to intimacy with God, is the Holy Spirit!
THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE
We receive the Spirit when we come to faith in Christ. It is the Spirit that causes us to be born again (John 3,5), and to be incorporated into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12,13).
But Paul also says that we need to be filled with the Spirit – and not just once – again and again, we need this!
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5,18
“Be filled”, is present imperative in Greek, i.e this is not a once for all. You either have to stay filled, or continue to be filled!
Why do we need to be filled with the Spirit?
For Paul, being filled with the Spirit is part of the normal Christian life, for every Christian!
Had this not been so, he would not have exhorted the Christians at Ephesus in this way.
When we are filled with the Spirit, there is an overflow to those around us!
The Spirit brings us that closeness to God that enables us to share his love with other people.
Read also Jesus words in John 7,38-39!
OUR NEED
But the experience of the normal Christian life, is that we can go spiritually dry. Our faith can grow old!
There are a multitude of reasons why this happens.
The consequence is that our spiritual lives need to be renewed again and again.
Just as his mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3,22-23), our faith needs to be new every morning!
So, as often as I need to; when I am stressed out, or whatever –
I find somewhere I can be alone, and undisturbed. I get down on my knees, I lift my arms and my head to heaven, and I say:
Father, I need to be filled again with your Spirit!
Please fill me anew!
Fill me with your love and peace!
Renew my faith! Renew my joy!
Let me hear your voice speaking to me!
That is a prayer he answers speedily!
THE IMPORTANT WORD PARRHĒSIA
Why this particular stance in prayer, you ask? Why can´t I just kneel in front of my bed, fold my hands, close my eyes, bow my head, and say a quiet little prayer?
Answer: Well, you can do that! But I would encourage you to be bold in prayer!
The word for boldness or confidence is parrhēsia (παρρησια) in Greek. This is two words pan (all) + rhēsis (speech): ALL SPEACH, or THE FREEDOM TO SAY ALL!
Parrhēsia is a great New Testament word!
The word group that it belongs to occurs first in Euripides and Aristophanes, in a political context. It signifies the democratic right of a full citizen of a Greek city-state: The freedom to speak in a democratic assembly!
In the New Testament, it is used of the boldness, the confidence the Christian should have in the presence of Almighty God. The FREEDOM TO SPEAK ALL – AND WITHOUT FEAR, in the presence of THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE!
You will find this use in Eph 3,12; 1 Tim 3,13; Heb 3,6; 4,16; 10,19 and 10,35. Especially, Eph 3,12, Heb 4,16; 10, 19 and 35.
In other words, God has in Christ Jesus given us access to him, a bold access (Eph 3,12). And it is his pleasure that we come boldly before him.
This we can do, if our heart does not condemn us. If our heart condemns us, we need to confess our sins! If we still feel condemned after that; God is greater than our hearts, and knows all things (1 John 3,20) – Have peace! Give the issue to God! Or band together with another Christian, and sort it out!
Next verses (1 John 3,21-22): Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence (parrhēsia) before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments (to love) and do what pleases him!
Romans 13:10 ESV
NOW WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH ALL THIS?
Certainly, boldness does not signify arrogance in this context! God resists the proud (James 4,6)! You come humbly, but you are bold!
Being bold in God´s presence signifies rather that you trust his promises! You trust his word! He has forgiven you!
And you come acknowledging your need!
It pleases him, that you trust; that you have faith!
He wants us to come boldly before his throne (Heb. 4,16) – to open up our whole beings to him – no ifs, no buts, not by measure – he wants all of us – all we at this point know to give – he wants it unreservedly!
Let’s keep being filled with the Spirit!😀