The Power of Intimacy
As we discussed in Part 1 of this series, God is a God of intimacy. This place of intimacy is where we connect with our purpose.
One with God
Jesus talked about this with His disciples right before He went to the cross. John 15:4-5 (TPT) says:
4 So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.
5 “I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless.
Every fruitful place in our lives will stream from our union with Christ. This is the place of intimacy.
Manifesting New Life
What is God calling you to?
Look at what He has been preparing in you! Philippians 2:13 Amplified Bible (AMPC) says:
13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
This is working out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
In the past, we thought that we had to walk out our salvation to secure it. This is an anti-grace and anti-finished work message.
Think about how that makes you feel. If you suddenly feel burdened and fearful, something is off with how scripture is interpreted. Remember God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16). And perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). If the message does not bear that fruit, it is not a God message!
So, what does “working out your salvation” mean?
Philippians 2:12b-13 (TPT) is helpful:
12b Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into his presence. 13 God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him.
The new life – our salvation – is unveiled or manifested from the inside out in each and every one of us! It is finished in Christ and we pack all of Him inside us (Colossians 1:27). Everything is unveiled from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Unveiling God’s Plans for You
So how do we unveil the plans God has for us? We engage with the One Who created us and Who crafted us for great and beautiful things. Jeremiah 33:2-3 (AMP) says:
2 “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is His name, 3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’
Notice, God is the One to reveal hidden things that we don’t know. He causes us to distinguish those things from other things that are not part of the plans He has made. This comes from the place of intimacy with God.
He crafted you and made you fit for His plans; He also crafted the plans to fit you.
Those plans are rarely revealed in one fell swoop. This is a good thing because, although His plans are always good (Jeremiah 29:11), we’d probably freak with the greatness of them. They are revealed bit by bit – God reveals what is good for you.
Keeping You Safe in Your Purpose
Settling securely in Love and in your relationship with Him as a beloved son/daughter is crucial. God is not going to “send you out” without you secure in His back.
The world does not need any more orphans trying to prove their worth or trying to please a so-called task-master, disapproving Father. He is jealous for you and does not want your purpose to become an idol!
He wants you to know Him intimately and know deeply that you are simply adored! When He has you resting in His heart, He can safely release those great and mighty plans.
Daniel 11:32b (KJV) says:
32 …but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Intimacy keeps you safe!
Your Papa is more concerned about YOU than what you can do for Him!
He wants you rooted and grounded in Love (Ephesians 3:17-21). He wants you rooted and grounded in Him!
And with that, we will close this Part. Join me next time for Part 3!
XO,
Catherine
