How can one grasp a divine relationship and put it in a box? Understanding only begins through the revelation of Scripture and inspiration by the Holy Spirit. I pray that the words of my mouth are a sweet fragrance unto the Lord.
We believe that every relationship should seek God’s glory and that a core characteristic of all divine relationships is intentional intimacy. This essential component is defined as 'the passion and desire to pursue being known and to know one another deeply for the glory of God.' It is only with God and through God that any relationship can truly be divine--magnificent, pleasing, wonderful, and, yes, godly.
Where does that intentional intimacy definition come from? We will explore that in this, and our next several, blog posts.
As with any study or attempt to answer a question, let's begin with the answers God has given us through His divine revelation - the Bible. And, one of the best places to start is at the beginning. Now, if we look at time from a human perspective, we could start at the beginning of creation, where we came into existence. That would be a good place to start; however, God is outside time and space. "I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). Thus, we should look at what was going on before creation.
The only thing that the Bible reveals about existence before time is the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian relationship of God has been debated by theologians countless times throughout the years; the aim of this post is not to debate but to embrace the divine relationship that God has revealed. Furthermore, this first divine relationship goes beyond just the three persons in the relationship but reaches to the ultimate unity within their relationship, so tri-unity might be a better term (Metzger). Dr. Kellemen of RPM Ministries is often heard to say, "Before God created, He related." The wonder of God and how He relates cannot be completely understood on this side of heaven, but we can be awed by what we can see.
What does that have to do with us and intentional intimacy? We are created in the image of God—the multi-faceted, relating, unified image. We reflect that image, although we often have a poor vision of God and poorly reflect His image. The apostle Paul writes "for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). With God’s leading, we are transformed more into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). As we allow the Holy Spirit within us to draw us closer to God and His magnificent ways of relating, we are drawn closer to each other. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can reflect God's image and be transformed in His glory and power. We can relate as God relates. We can reflect His glory through our interactions with others and have divine appointments to increase our faith, magnify His hope, and dispense grace and love to those around us, as we focus on being known and knowing one another in unity.
We believe that every relationship should seek God’s glory and that a core characteristic of all divine relationships is intentional intimacy. This essential component is defined as 'the passion and desire to pursue being known and to know one another deeply for the glory of God.' It is only with God and through God that any relationship can truly be divine--magnificent, pleasing, wonderful, and, yes, godly.
Where does that intentional intimacy definition come from? We will explore that in this, and our next several, blog posts.
As with any study or attempt to answer a question, let's begin with the answers God has given us through His divine revelation - the Bible. And, one of the best places to start is at the beginning. Now, if we look at time from a human perspective, we could start at the beginning of creation, where we came into existence. That would be a good place to start; however, God is outside time and space. "I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). Thus, we should look at what was going on before creation.
The only thing that the Bible reveals about existence before time is the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian relationship of God has been debated by theologians countless times throughout the years; the aim of this post is not to debate but to embrace the divine relationship that God has revealed. Furthermore, this first divine relationship goes beyond just the three persons in the relationship but reaches to the ultimate unity within their relationship, so tri-unity might be a better term (Metzger). Dr. Kellemen of RPM Ministries is often heard to say, "Before God created, He related." The wonder of God and how He relates cannot be completely understood on this side of heaven, but we can be awed by what we can see.
What does that have to do with us and intentional intimacy? We are created in the image of God—the multi-faceted, relating, unified image. We reflect that image, although we often have a poor vision of God and poorly reflect His image. The apostle Paul writes "for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). With God’s leading, we are transformed more into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). As we allow the Holy Spirit within us to draw us closer to God and His magnificent ways of relating, we are drawn closer to each other. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can reflect God's image and be transformed in His glory and power. We can relate as God relates. We can reflect His glory through our interactions with others and have divine appointments to increase our faith, magnify His hope, and dispense grace and love to those around us, as we focus on being known and knowing one another in unity.
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