Discovering True Holiness: Cultivating Intimacy with Jesus

Holiness Begins in Intimacy with Jesus

Have you ever wished that the pursuit of holiness came with a clear equation? Something like:

([X minutes of Bible reading] + [Y minutes of prayer]) x [Z days a week] = holiness

It would be nice if we could calculate our holiness, control it, and make it manageable. But unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.

In the Bible, we encounter a man who approached Jesus with a similar desire. He asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17). This man was looking for a formula, a set of actions he could take to secure his place in eternity. He wanted control over his own holiness.

Jesus, in his wisdom, didn't give the man a formula. Instead, he pointed him to something deeper. He said, "You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother'" (Mark 10:19). Jesus reminded him of the moral commandments, which are indeed important for holy living.

But Jesus didn't stop there. He went on to say, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Mark 10:21). Jesus exposed the man's heart idolatry, his love for worldly possessions that hindered him from fully following Christ.

What Jesus was getting at is that holiness is not about following a formula or checklist of good deeds. It's about surrendering our hearts to him, putting him above all else, and following him wholeheartedly.

Holiness and Intimacy

So, how do we enter into this intimacy with Jesus that leads to holiness? It begins with understanding that holiness is not primarily about external actions, but about the condition of our hearts.

Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45). Our actions flow from what is in our hearts. Therefore, if we desire to live holy lives, we must start by allowing Jesus to transform our hearts.

This transformation happens through a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus. It's not about religious rituals or empty practices, but about knowing Jesus personally and being known by him. It's about spending time with him in prayer, studying his Word, and allowing his Spirit to work in us.

In John 15:4-5, Jesus says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

This analogy of the vine and branches illustrates the importance of our connection with Jesus. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own, we cannot produce true holiness apart from our abiding relationship with Jesus. It is through abiding in him, staying connected to him, that we find the source of true holiness.

The Role of the Word and Prayer

Two key components of our intimacy with Jesus are the Word of God and prayer. These are not mere religious duties, but powerful means through which we commune with God and allow him to shape us.

The Word of God is described as "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12). It has the power to penetrate our hearts, convict us of sin, and lead us into truth. As we read and meditate on the Word, we open ourselves up to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer, on the other hand, is our direct line of communication with God. It is a means by which we pour out our hearts to him, seek his guidance, and align our will with his. Through prayer, we invite God to work in us and through us, allowing him to shape our desires and conform us to his image.

When we combine the Word and prayer, we create a powerful synergy in our pursuit of holiness. The Word provides the foundation of truth, while prayer allows us to apply that truth to our lives and seek God's empowering presence.

The Danger of Formulaic Christianity

While it's tempting to seek a formula or checklist for holiness, we must be cautious not to reduce our relationship with Jesus to a set of actions. As John Piper warns, "We can become experts in the Christian life without growing any closer to Christ."

True holiness begins in intimacy with Jesus. It begins with a heart surrendered to him, a heart that desires to know him and be known by him. It's not about performance or striving, but about abiding in him and allowing his Spirit to work in us.

As we grow in intimacy with Jesus, we will naturally bear the fruit of holiness. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." These qualities are not things we can manufacture on our own, but they flow from our connection with Jesus.

Growing in Intimacy

If we desire to grow in intimacy with Jesus and pursue holiness, here are a few practical steps we can take:

1. Schedule regular time for Bible reading and study. Set aside a specific time each day to engage with God's Word, allowing it to speak to your heart and transform your thinking.


2. Make prayer a priority. Set aside dedicated time for prayer, both individually and with others. Pour out your heart to God, seek his guidance, and listen for his voice.


3. Engage in meaningful fellowship. Join a small group or community of believers who can encourage and challenge you in your walk with Jesus. Share your struggles and victories, and pray for one another.


4. Practice fasting. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us focus our hearts and minds on God. It involves temporarily abstaining from food or other earthly pleasures in order to seek God's presence and direction.


5. Seek accountability. Find a trusted friend or mentor who can hold you accountable in your pursuit of holiness. Share your struggles and victories, and allow them to speak truth into your life.


6. Share the gospel. As we grow in intimacy with Jesus, our love for others will naturally overflow. Look for opportunities to share the good news of Jesus with those around you, allowing his love to shine through you.

Remember, the goal is not to simply check off these activities on a list, but to engage in them with a heart that truly desires to know and follow Jesus. It's about cultivating a deep and intimate relationship with him, allowing him to transform us from the inside out.

So, let go of the desire for a formula and instead embrace the invitation to intimacy with Jesus. As you draw near to him, you will find that holiness is not a burden to bear, but a joy to pursue.