Pastor's Pondering
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Invitation to Intimacy
by Duane Mabee on August 15, 2019In a conversation last Sunday evening, one of you pointed out that the God we know through the Bible, the One we know through Jesus Christ, is the only God Who wants to have a relationship with us. No other religion I know of tells of a God Who desires intimacy with people. For the most part, religion is about pacifying a god who doesn’t like you so that it at least won’t harm you. Or, religion can be about mastering the art of power so that you can influence the god(s) to do what you want them to do. But Jesus invites us into an intimate relationship with God the Father, Who loves us.
The most famous verse in the Bible talks about God loving you enough to send His Son into the world to rescue you. John 3:16 says, God loved you so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life, (paraphrase). Jesus said, “the Father Himself loves you,” (John 16:27 ESV).
In the book of Luke, Jesus taught that God loves you enough to provide for you. He loves you enough to keep a running count of the number of hairs on your head, (Luke 12:7). Even your mom doesn’t do that! Ephesians 1 talks about how God loved you and chose you even before He created the first atom or Adam. God chose you to be adopted as one of His dearly loved children. Romans 8:15-16 adds that, “you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” (ESV). Jesus even taught us to pray “Our Father (Daddy)” Matthew 6:9.
There is a God Who loves you more than words could ever tell. He wants you to know Him, and He wants to know you. He doesn’t call you to be His slave and work really hard for Him. He doesn’t want to use you like a tool and then discard you once He has accomplished His purpose. He wants a relationship with you. He wants to be to you everything you ever wanted a father to be.
Do you want to know this God? He wants to know you.