The question looms large! I’m seeking the intimacy life in Jesus that the “Christ in you” paradigm speaks of, but how do I die to Self? Or said another way, how do I experience the daily crucifixion that Jesus and Paul talk about??? These questions are being asked daily by hundreds of con-scientious believers who want to experience a more consistent, deeper Christian life.
This article is part of a series that will present the how-to’s of spiritual intimacy in the simplest way possible. The posts will be brief and chronological. Each succeeding article will attempt to answer the questions that naturally arise from the preceding one.
A brand new lifestyle….
Anyone beginning this experiential faith-relationship must come to realize that the Word teaches a few foundational truths that must undergird any and all attempts to embrace this life. To develop a truly Spirit-filled life of intimacy demands that we live a life in keeping with these
biblical revelations:
biblical revelations:
1. The intimacy we are seeking is a supernatural
experience which must begin with surrender.
experience which must begin with surrender.
2. This surrender is a moment by moment endeavor
which must be learned.
which must be learned.
3. This surrender is aimed at allowing Jesus to be
our very life.
our very life.
4. This surrender ushers in a genuine desire to
lead a holy life.
lead a holy life.
We will comment on each of these statements and add a bit to what has alread been said.
1. The union paradigm derives from what Jesus
taught about in several different situations
taught about in several different situations
covered in the Gospels. He used words like
MYSTERY, ABIDE, YOKE, HUNGER,
THIRST, and many more words that imply
or connote a divine connection with Him: a
connection that shapes our behavior. The
lifestyle result of this union is a Spirit to
MYSTERY, ABIDE, YOKE, HUNGER,
THIRST, and many more words that imply
or connote a divine connection with Him: a
connection that shapes our behavior. The
lifestyle result of this union is a Spirit to
spirit experience.
2. Jesus made it very clear that this life which He lives
in and through us is something that is meant to be
a life-long learning experience. His use of the
word DISCIPLE carries that kind of expected
response. As we learn to surrender, He will use the
events and happenings of our everyday lives to
teach us.
in and through us is something that is meant to be
a life-long learning experience. His use of the
word DISCIPLE carries that kind of expected
response. As we learn to surrender, He will use the
events and happenings of our everyday lives to
teach us.
3. The end objective of the intimacy union is what
many have called the exchanged life. As we
relinquish the control of our lives, He literally
becomes our Life. This is precisely what Jesus
meant when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and
the life.” He is the ONLY WAY to live a life
pleasing to our heavenly Father. He is the WAY to
the LIFE ! That is, He is the ultimate TRUTH
of truths.
many have called the exchanged life. As we
relinquish the control of our lives, He literally
becomes our Life. This is precisely what Jesus
meant when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and
the life.” He is the ONLY WAY to live a life
pleasing to our heavenly Father. He is the WAY to
the LIFE ! That is, He is the ultimate TRUTH
of truths.
4. The secret - and there really is no secret - to
living a consistent life of intimacy embodies
the realization that this Union Life can only
be experienced as we live holy lives. Hear what John
says, “If we say we have FELLOWSHIP with him
while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth.” I John 1:6
living a consistent life of intimacy embodies
the realization that this Union Life can only
be experienced as we live holy lives. Hear what John
says, “If we say we have FELLOWSHIP with him
while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth.” I John 1:6
Thus, as we begin to learn how to enjoy fellowship
with Him, we soon discover that it is righteousness
and holiness that become the bottom line require-
with Him, we soon discover that it is righteousness
and holiness that become the bottom line require-
ment for intimacy.
The next article will address the subjects of holiness and righteousness and how we develop lives that reflect these attributes.