Our Closeness to God

"God is nearer to us than any man at every time. He is nearer to me than my raiment, nearer than the air or light, nearer than my wife, father, mother, daughter, son, or friend. I live in Him, soul and body. I breathe in Him, think in Him, feel, consider, intend, speak, undertake, work in Him."  - John of Kronstadt

Closeness with God is the beating heart of religion. It's in our close relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that the most honest and genuine parts of our lives are lived. All aspects of our lives that are not lived in loving fellowship with Him are untrustworthy, unreliable, dubious, and obscure.

Sometimes there is a disconnect between doctrine and intimacy with God. But they should always go together. Otherwise, we tend to only consider doctrine without the affection, which can lead us to a hard, self-important, hollow religion (John 14:6).

How can we avoid circumstances promoting these types of things happening to us? Especially important in this age of information saturation, is to get your teaching from God (Job 36:22; Jeremiah 23:30). That is to say, take your doctrine from His lips; learn truth down on your knees.

You must also stay away from judgment and conjecture. These provide no nourishment for the spirit. If anything, they make you heartless and dry. And like a shade screen placed over a sun-facing window, they greatly diminish the incoming light.

Faithfully keep your relationship with God close, and let all other associations be dictated by His (2 Peter 1:3). Allow God to become your constant partner, your closest friend, teacher, and guide. God does His best work when we let Him into every part of our lives.

Scripture: James 4:8;  John 17:22-23; Deuteronomy 6:5; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:1

Prayer: Dear God, I glorify your name and thank you for your grace which you so generously poured out on me through your Only Son and my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I offer this praise, amen.

May God bless you,

Cathryn