For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 (ESV)
Want a more intimate relationship with God? Want to experience the reality of His presence?
The psalmist expressed this same desire when he asked (and answered), “Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.” (Psalm 24:3–4, NLT). His words remind us that only those who are holy can draw near to a holy God.
Those who are in Christ have been declared Holy, in right standing with God positionally. However, as redeemed sinners, we cannot cling to our impatience, gluttony, slothfulness, and moodiness, and expect to enjoy intimate fellowship with God any more than, say, a teenager who willfully violates his parents’ instructions can look confidently into their eyes when he returns home. We can join sellout crowds in cheering for God at concerts and conferences. We can applaud speakers who stir our emotions. We can have mystical spiritual experiences. But if we are ignoring or cherishing sin in our hearts, none of these will draw us one scintilla closer to God.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5.8, ESV). “Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire?” the prophet asked. “He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly” (Isaiah. 33:14–15, ESV). “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face” (Psalm 11:7, ESV). Intimacy with our holy God is reserved for those who love and choose the path of holiness.
Are you enjoying close fellowship with God, or is there some breach between you and Him? Is there some distance-causing sin that you are clinging to, unwilling to repent of? The point of entry to full intimacy with God is simply confessing the sin. I pray you do it now.
If not today, when?