The Closeness of God

When Jesus broke down the wall of distance between our heavenly Father and us, He gave us a closeness to God that Paul emphasized again and again to the believers, especially in the Galatian church. If we keep God distant in our lives, then it is easier to deny following Him and hearing His call on our lives. There is purpose in everything God does, but our human reasoning can put barriers to the purposes of God. Hear Paul's words to the Galatian church and his call for those people to realize they can draw near to God, and that they are His children. Galatians 4: 1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. ⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. ⁶ Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

We can realize and live in this closeness with God to the point that He sees what is best for us and we trust Him with our lives, not as disobedient "step" children, but "adopted" children who have Jesus in our hearts. This closeness definitely has its benefits and blessings, but can also have a strong tie between us and our Father, so that He can discipline us as well as bless us. If you don't want to think of yourself as a child of God, then you may be trying to keep a friendly distance between you and God, and that minimizes what happened on Calvary when Jesus gave us this closeness through His death, burial, and resurrection.

James said it this way in James 4:⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Do not keep God at arm's length and thus miss the blessings of this close relationship that was so costly for Jesus. In the above scripture, we are commanded to come close to God, and the reason is for spiritual growth and life change. James is telling us to be single-minded in this effort so the world doesn't draw us away and put distance in this close, child-like faith. The closeness we have with God is God's idea and purpose, and it is not a lack of respect when we follow His command to draw near to Him. Do it! We are not lowering God to our level, but being lifted up where He has drawn us. We come to Him, humble in our attitude and He is the one who is the lifter. James 4:¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren