By Francis Frangipane
The sense of distance we often feel between Christ and ourselves is an illusion. As we enter the days prior to Christ's Second Coming, the Lord shall begin to remove that falsehood. Indeed, He promises, "In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you" (John 14:20).
The Scriptures tell us that Christ is the vine, we are the branches; He is the head, we are His body; He is the Lord and we are His temple. From start to finish, the Bible declares the Lord not only has a dwelling in Heaven, but that He also abides perpetually in redemptive union with His people. The ever-present focus of His activity is to guide us into oneness with Himself.
Thus, for all that the Holy Spirit has come to establish in our lives, whether through gifts, virtue or power, His highest purpose is to lead us into the presence of Jesus. The Holy Spirit labors ceaselessly to establish intimacy between ourselves and the Lord Jesus. Someone once said that intimacy means "into-me-see." Intimacy means secrets shared. The Father sees us in secret; He establishes within us the “secret place of [His] presence”(Ps. 31:20), where those who fear Him can always find Him (Ps. 27:5).
This union with Christ lifts us higher to a personal, rather than merely academic, relationship with God’s Word. We hear the Shepherd's voice speaking to our spirits, bringing comfort, correction and direction (John 10:27). Not only are we privileged to know Christ's teachings, but as we grow, we also discern the tone of His voice in His instruction. This is heart-to-heart intimacy.
Listen to His wonderful promise:
"I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15).
Jesus says, "I know My own and My own know Me." How intimate is this relationship? Scripturally, the union between Christ and our hearts is of the same quality as His union with the Father. He says it is "even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father."
Beloved, let us make it our life's quest to know Him. Let us not accept the illusion that He is distant from us for He Himself promised, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt 28:20).
Lord Jesus, in the deepest way possible I desire to know You, even at the depth that You have known me. Fill my emptiness with Your presence and my darkness with Your light. Draw me into moment by moment intimacy with You. Amen
Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, "And I Will Be Found By You" available at www.arrowbookstore.com.
