Intimacy implies a close, very personal relationship with another person. Those with whom we are intimate feel free to come close, and to share very personal matters. During our lifetimes, we typically have very few people with whom we are intimate. Our spouses and a few close friends may enter this exceptional circle.

But have you ever considered that God Himself has, through His Son, invited us to share such intimacy with Him. In Hebrews 10:19-25, we read: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching."

Under the Law of Moses, the average Jew couldn't approach God at all-directly. He had to have a mediator, the priest. But even the priests approached God with trepidation. The tabernacle, and later the temple, were designed to reinforce the idea that God and man were not close, even though God was present with His people. He maintained His "presence" in the inner sanctum or "most holy place" of the tabernacle and temple. Into this closest proximity with God, only the high priest could enter, and that but once a year.

Israel was expressly commanded not to "draw near" to God at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:12-25). But through Christ, each Christian is exhorted to "draw near." Whereas, the ancient high priest was the only one who could enter the "holiest" place, every Christian is now able to approach God's presence. Do you wish to speak with God? You need no priest or special minister to approach Him for you. You can boldly approach God yourself.

What has changed since the days of Moses' Law? The thing that required God to keep Himself separate from man has been removed. Sin keeps men from intimacy with God. Isaiah 59:2 declares, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

Jesus death, when understood through faith to be the ultimate sacrifice for sin, gives us remission of sins, washes away our sins, cleanses our consciences, and makes us acceptable to God. The Mosaic priests went through various cleansings, using both animal blood and water to make themselves ceremonially clean. But the blood of Jesus, applied at the cross and received in baptism, leaves us actually cleansed. Jesus is high priest over the "house of God." But consider the implications of Ephesians 2:19. "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

The hospitality of our homes is one way we express intimacy, or seek greater intimacy. Imagine! God has invited us into His home. And, further, He is willing to call us his children and "sons" and even "heirs." So, we've established God's desire to be intimate with us. It remains for us to draw near to Him. How do we do that?

Hebrews 13:15 tells us, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks in His name." Prayer is a means of talking to God. Other aspects of our worship also draw us toward greater communion with Him. And, as we adopt God's thoughts and ways and make them our own, we become more like Him--thus closer and more intimate.

With such intimacy now possible through Christ, the Hebrews writer urges:

1. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope."
2. "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works."
3. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together."

Since we can have such an intimate relationship with God Himself, why would we even think about doing anything that might cut off or diminish that intimacy? Such is a big part of the message in the latter chapters of Hebrews.

Brother Blackaby addresses a subject to which most of us who are God's people give little attention. We can never become like our Master unless we adopt His ways, thoughts, and precepts as our own. Following is a short list of suggestions for becoming like the Master:

1. Seek His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33).
2. Place others ahead of yourself (Philippians 2:2-5).
3. Establish proper priorities in your life (Matthew 6:19-21).
4. Submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7,8).
5. Keep the world in proper perspective (1 John 2:15-17).
6. Do not conform to the world's standards (Romans 12:1,2).
7. Make God's will your will (Matthew 26:42).
8. Place the spiritual above the physical-eternal ahead of temporal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

God's people must always remember that we are His hands in a sinful world of spiritual darkness. Our lives should show the way to the cross and the Savior. How can those in the world see "Christ in us" if we are not intimate with our Lord and following His instructions in all aspects of our lives (Matthew 5:13-16)? To ask the question is to answer it! (KMG)