|
Intimacy with
God by the New Covenant
 The ultimate blessing of the new
covenant of grace is that it allows us to develop an intimate
relationship with the true and living God. We began our personal
history greatly separated from God: "you who once were far
off." How could we ever comprehend the "vast
relational distance" that our sins brought between the Lord and us? We
could not relate to God. We could not talk to Him or enjoy His presence. We
were "without Christ...having no hope and without God in the world"
(Ephesians 2:12). Therefore, we were "alienated
from the life of God" (Ephesians 4:18). Then, "according to the riches
of His grace," we found "forgiveness
of sins," as Jesus shed His blood unto death to pay the redemption
price. "In Him we have redemption through His blood."
Now, the entire picture is drastically changed. "But
now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have been brought near by the blood
of Christ." We are no longer alienated from God. "Now,
therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners,
but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household
of God" (Ephesians 2:19). We are now members of God's family. We are
His beloved children. "And because you are sons,
God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba,
Father!'" (Galatians 4:6). By the work of the Holy Spirit in our
hearts, we cry out intimately to the Lord God as our "Heavenly Papa!"
"You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba,
Father.' The Spirit Himself
bears witness with our spirit that we are children
of God" (Romans 8:15-16). As we cry out "Abba,"
the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, gives us a deep internal, spiritual
confirmation that we truly are God's children.
Our heavenly Father wants to build a close relationship with us, His
children. He wants us to know His love. "The love of
God has been poured out in
our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to
us" (Romans 5:5). Also, God wants us to respond in love to Him. "
We love Him because He first loved us"
(1 John 4:19). He wants us to call upon Him, that He might
respond to us. "Call to Me, and I
will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3). He wants us to empty our heart unto Him. "Pour
out your heart before
Him" (Psalm 62:8). By God's grace, the way for intimacy
is now open to us.
Abba, Father, I
thank You for purging away my sins. I praise You for bringing me close to You.
I desire to grow in intimacy with You. Help me to see Your love more clearly,
that I might respond in stronger love to You. Remind me to cry out to You
consistently and to pour out my heart honestly in prayer. I ask all by the blood of Christ, Amen.
|
