“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:8)
“That’s close enough.” Have you ever said that about anything? In the military, and some jobs after, there became a common saying at the end of a task: “That’s close enough for government work!”
This unconscious thinking may be epidemic among some professing followers of Christ. We may be guilty of keeping ourselves at arm’s length from God and His Church. One’s actions, or lack thereof, may be saying; “That’s good enough”, “That’s close enough.”
How can we know if we are close enough to God? Let’s check:
Have you ever wondered why your praying seems to be hindered or unanswered much of the time? May I suggest you check your intimacy with God? Here’s what I mean:
“. . . but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)
The word “know” is “yada” in the Hebrew and implies a “deep, personal, intimate relationship” with God. Notice what it says people in such relationship with God will “be” and “do”; “be strong, and do exploits.”
But notice what Jesus says to His followers:
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:5-7)
The word “abide” is “meno” in the Greek and implies “staying fixed within that deep, personal, intimate relationship” with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God Himself. Notice what it says people in such relationship with God will “be” and “do”. What happens within “yada”, (deep, personal, intimate relationship with God), is God is able to align your will to His. Self is put to death. Plus, He is able to plant, or “conceive” His will, plan, purpose, desire, into your heart. You then “birth” it through prayer until it becomes life, or reality. “ . . .and it shall be done unto you.”
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:12-13)
The deeper meaning of “believing” on Him, and “asking in His name” comes through this concept of “yada”, deep, personal, intimate relationship with Him. When you are in that continuing relationship, on purpose, you know His will, you pray His will, and you see His will being done, “on earth as it is in heaven!” So Beloved, draw near on purpose; get closer. Pray On!
