The Relationship Between Maturity and Intimacy
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you…. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. II Corinthians 13:11, 14 (KJV)
Be perfect in the Greek is katarizo, which means to put in order or make complete. It speaks of maturity. As we press on to mature in Christ, as we’re comforted by Holy Spirit, as we’re of one mind (thinking in agreement), and as we live in peace- God will be with us. Thus, we’ll enjoy close fellowship with God.
Immaturity can hinder us from having a close relationship with God. It can keep us at a distance from Him. Strife can quench God’s presence in our lives. Though God is with us we may not feel or sense His presence, His touch, or His anointing. The more we walk in maturity, the more comfort we can receive and the more at ease we can be with ourselves and others. This causes us to be at peace and live in peace. God is the God of peace. He doesn’t dwell in strife, division, stress, contention or sin.
As we receive God’s grace, the power of Jesus working on our behalf, the love of God, which is unconditional and self-sacrificing is ours. The communion, or fellowship, and parternship of the Holy Spirit is also ours to enjoy. And we know that God is with us.
The more we mature, the more we can receive comfort, live in peace, and enjoy God and experience His nearness. We will walk in the grace of Jesus that supplies all our needs. We’ll receive God’s love for us and enjoy intimate relationship with Holy Spirit. We’ll enjoy not just God’s omnipresence (God’s presence that is everywhere) and His glory (His manifest presence), but His abiding presence (God being ever-present and becoming more real in us). God is around us, on us, and in us. Truly, God is with us!
