What is the true meaning of intimacy?
Intimacy carries many profound and varied attributes. It is deeply connected to relationship and serves to strengthen covenantal relationship. Intimacy speaks of bonding, communion, closeness, unity, and spiritual connection. We often associate intimacy with friendship, love, and nearness; yet deeper intimacy is birthed through greater commitment and continual growth in relationship.
The true intimacy of Christ is found in knowing who we are in Him, and Him within us. To know Christ — and then to know Christ in me. This intimacy develops through abiding in Christ Jesus. As we remain in Him, relationship deepens and matures into a greater spiritual intimacy.
The intimacy of Christ is born out of true love. It is a woven relationship through which we come to know His personhood, His nature, and the many facets of His transforming character. As we draw near to Him, we are drawn by the power of His love. This abiding relationship comes through being born into the Family of God. It is divine kinship — having been brought into the Royal Family of God. The intimacy of Christ becomes the very foundation of spirit, soul, and body.
Spiritual intimacy is dimensional and unfolds in varying degrees according to the depth of our surrender, commitment, and pursuit of Him. The intimacy of Christ is revealed through abiding in the Vine — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The laying down of His life is the greatest expression of love. This is the Agape love of God: the ultimate gift of intimate covenant relationship. As we draw near to Him, He draws even closer to us.
The intimacy of Christ is all-encompassing and reveals the vastness and manifold beauty of His love.
The true meaning of the word agape portrays an intimacy with Christ that far transcends human understanding. Agape is not only to stand in awe and wonder of Him, but also to carry a holy expectation and attentiveness toward Him. The word itself also conveys the meaning of being “wide open.” How much of our hearts are we willing to open unto Him, allowing His love to permeate every part of our being? It is this love that unlocks the wonder of God and floods our inner man with His golden oil.
Song of Solomon 1:2–3:
“Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth; For Your love is better than wine. Because of the fragrance of Your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth.”
2 Corinthians 2:14:
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
The intimacy of Christ goes beyond the First Love experience. It is a maturing love — growing into His likeness through covenant relationship. Deep within the innermost part of our being is a longing that intensely desires more of Him, drawn by the attraction and power of His anointing. This holy desire enables us to endure with Him.
The intimacy of Christ is manifold in its expression. One facet of this intimacy was revealed through the Passion of Christ Himself — His fervent desire that all mankind would come unto Him. It was a suffering love, yet sustained by holy endurance and unwavering obedience unto the glory of the Father.
The intimacy of Christ also manifests a holy zeal within the believer, a fervent desire to grow spiritually in the Lord. There is a spiritual fire that burns within us, compelling us not only to endure, but to pursue Him passionately and desire the fullness of Christ Jesus. This is the love poured out from on high.
The intimacy of Christ may be likened unto His seal of love upon our hearts. He sets His heart upon ours and imparts within us a holy intensity to desire all that He has prepared for us. This is awakened love.
Song of Solomon 7:10:
“I am my Beloved’s, and His desire is toward me.”
Psalm 45:11:
“So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him.”
May we continually abide in the depths of His presence, allowing His love to transform us from glory to Glory, as the Fragrance of Christ is revealed through our lives.
Denise Sylvia Bruning
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