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Written by Mel Wild for “In My Father’s House” @ https://melwild.wordpress.com
Original post @ https://melwild.wordpress.com/2020/07/09/our-confidence-for-intimacy-with-god/
Our confidence for intimacy with God
Posted on July 9, 2020 by Mel Wild
Unlike the covenant of Abraham and Moses, our confidence is not based on pedigree or performance, respectively (see my post, “How God fulfills His promise to Abraham” for explanation). Our confidence is based on placement. When Christ died, we died; when He was buried, our sin was buried with Him; and when He rose from the grave, we rose with Him, to sit with Him in the Trinitarian life of God.
As I’ve said before, it’s not just what Christ did for us, or as us, but what Christ did to us.
6 He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ! (Eph.2:6 TPT)
Even though this is already true, it’s amazing how many blood-bought Christians don’t have confidence to live in this continual heavenly union. We’re still on the hamster-wheel of religion, trying to measure up, trying to attain to something He’s already done for us. Or, we just don’t see the critical value of intimacy with God, relegating it to the esoterical, for the mystics. But this is a tragic misunderstanding.
Here’s what the writer of Hebrews said about intimacy with God:
19 For the law has never made anyone perfect, but in its place is a far better hope which gives us confidence to experience intimacy with God! (Heb.7:19 TPT*)
This may seem hard for a rational Western Christian to grasp, but intimacy with God is the goal, not learning theology (which may also explain why we’re so poor at cultivating healthy relationships).
Theology is important, but unless it leads us to having confidence to come to God for intimate union, we’ve missed the whole point. Beloved, we were meant to participate in the divine nature with God. This is the means to our freedom in Christ:
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet.1:4 NIV*)
It’s in this union with Christ where we receive all the promises of God:
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2 Cor.1:20 NKJV*)
Of course, Jesus Himself told us that we can do nothing apart from our union in Christ (John 15:5). Yet, we still seem to think we can…at least, in practice.
It’s in this intimate union where we experience eternal life:
3 Eternal life means to know and experience you
as the only true God,
and to know and experience Jesus Christ,
as the Son whom you have sent. (John 17:3 TPT*)
The best that the Law could ever do was be our tutor until Christ came. Even though those who were under the Law were heirs, they were no better than slaves (see Gal.3:23-25). But, now, we have been placed in Christ in God!
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Col.3:3 NIV*)
It’s only here, in intimate union with God in Christ, where we actually experience eternal life, where all the promises of God reside, and where we find the freedom and purpose we’re looking for. This is the basis of our hope and confidence. This is our life in Christ.
* All emphasis added.
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God's group 
I thrilled in the reading of this message. Every word written spoke to me in more ways than I thought. Thank you. it’s a power packed message to learn and implement so much from. It must reach a larger audience.
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Thank you sooo much !! Just saw this note !! Blessings in Christ, bruce 🙂
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