How Can You Experience Intimacy with God?
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Galatians 3:14 NIV
A deeply close relationship with God, one in which you enjoy His withness and are sustained by His strength, is something the enemy of your soul is wholeheartedly committed to seeing you forgo. Of all the things the enemy does not want you to experience (and there are a lot!), intimacy with God is at the top of the list. It’s that significant in your life of faith!
If we have an enemy actively working against our knowing God’s withness, we need to be clear on how we pursue and enjoy Him! The answer to how is the Holy Spirit! We get to live in intimate relationship with God the Father because of God the Son through God the Spirit.
The Good News doesn’t end at Jesus’ death and resurrection that reconciled us to God.
His Promise
Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended to the Father. But before He left, He said this:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:16–17
Sure enough, Jesus did as He promised. He always does. Ten days after His ascension, He sent His Spirit, not only to dwell with us, but to live in us.
The same Spirit who filled Jesus fills you and me today. When we put our trust in Jesus, God places His Spirit in us to help us live in confidence of everything that is ours in Jesus.
The truth that we, by faith, “receive the promise of the Spirit” when we put our trust in Jesus is the part of the salvation narrative that isn’t always told. With the free gift of our eternal salvation comes the free gift of the indwelling power of God.
Salvation and the Spirit
We freely receive salvation and the Spirit. We are now Spirit-people. Filled with the Spirit. Led by the Spirit. Empowered by the Spirit. Transformed by the Spirit.
But if we don’t know this to be true, we keep living as self-people. Filled with the all-sufficient Spirit but led by the insufficient self. Fueled by the flesh. Exhausted and unchanged.
We cannot live like Christ without the power of Christ.
If you have put your faith in Jesus, you are home to the Holy Spirit!
In His Word
Read John 16. Pay attention to verse 7 and journal your thoughts on why Jesus said sending the Holy Spirit would be “to your advantage,” or “for your good” (NIV). Reflect and spend time getting to know the Holy Spirit better.
In Your Life
We can read all the devotions we want, but they won’t make much difference without welcoming the work of the Spirit. How can you let God’s spirit in you today?
We Recommend
We recommend the book Closer to God by Jeannie Cunnion. We love how she helps you discover the profound difference God’s empowering presence makes, and how we can enjoy more of it every day.
Let’s Connect
Jeannie Cunnion is a bestselling author and speaker whose most recent books and Bible studies include Mom Set Free, Don’t Miss Out, and Never Alone. Her work has been featured on outlets such as the TODAY show, Fox News, CBN, and a host of popular podcasts. Jeannie holds a master’s degree in social work, and she is the co-founder of The 509 Foundation. Connect with Jeannie at JeannieCunnion.com.