Christian Writers Circle

Intimacy with Christ through Relationships
by Judy Hitson

Once we know the Lord and grow in a love relationship with Him, we enjoy intimate times with Him. This is key to experience intimacy with Him through relationships. Once we establish a relationship with Jesus Christ, we can better relate to others, bear one another’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6: 2)

As we walk in the Spirit and in love, we experience intimacy with Christ and intimate fellowship with those of like mind in the Spirit. God places people in our lives to come alongside us or for us to come alongside them. He fills us with His love and compassion to walk on this earth as it is in heaven.

We may discern those who know Christ but choose to walk like Lot, according to this world with human desires and lusts of the world and flesh. Others we discern do not know Christ, who walk according to the world, flesh and devil. Our desire is for them to choose Christ and His ways rather than their own ways and ways of the world. In our circles of life, God puts people on our heart to carry them in prayer to respond to the light and walk in the light as He is in the light. Is it not for the sake of love? When we realize God is love, that He loves us as no other, we are drawn to Him and learn to love because He first loved us. (1 John 4: 19)

Relationships can develop in intimacy through Christ in us the hope of glory, to love them into the Kingdom as we are led by the Spirit who gives us life. (Col.1:27, John 6:63; 2 Cor. 3: 6)

To whom much is given, much is required. We are not alone in this world when we know Christ, He is with us wherever we go. We have the privilege to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,  to mature to the full measure of Christ, to walk in the Spirit and walk in love like Jesus. (Luke 12: 48, Josh. 1:9, 2 Peter 3: 18, Eph. 4: 13, Gal. 5: 25, Eph. 5:2)

When we come to know Christ through the second birth, born of the Spirit and baptized in the Spirit we have choices to make to grow in Christ and walk by faith or go our own way. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, but apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 3: 5, 1 Cor. 12: 13, Phil. 4: 13, John 15: 5b)

So let us grow in intimacy with Christ through relationships; being accountable to God and to man. There is a quote I’d like to share with you in closing that made an impact on my heart. Heidi Baker who has a ministry with her husband Rolland in Mozambique said, “If you know that you are loved, you are free to be intimate.” May the Lord reveal His great love for you and free you to be intimate in relationships with Him and others.