“Intimacy with God”

2 Timothy 2

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Many things shake in this world. Kingdoms, governments and rulers all disappear. There is only one Kingdom, one Ruler that lasts forever and that is King Jesus. In our text we read about the shaking of all other foundations and we are told that the sure foundation of God is never shaken. For Jesus has all power over all principalites and powers, forever.

On this foundation is written an inscription, a seal. This two-fold seal declares that “the Lord knows those who are His” and that “those who name the Name of the Lord depart from all iniquity”.

THE LORD KINOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS

This speaks of the Lord knowing exactly those who are truly His. But more than that, it speaks in the Biblical sense of “know” as a wonderful intimacy. In the Old Testament it speaks of Adam knowing his wife and she bore a child. This is an indication of the fact that they became “one flesh”. They were so bonded together in intimacy that they were one and there was the result of that intimacy. So too, we are called to be “one” with the Lord Jesus so that He can say “flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone”. He has made this possible through his death on the Cross.

In Matthew 7 : 22 and 23 the Lord Jesus says: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

The word “knew” is the same word used in the Greek for our text. It is possible, as shown in the Matthew text, that we can work for God, sing, preach and cast out demons, but still not know Him. On Judgement Day it matters not if you say “I know Jesus”. What will count is if he says “I know him”.

Do you have that intimacy with the Lord?

The second seal on this foundation refers to the fact that “everyone who names the Name of the Lord parts from all iniquity”. This is the proof of a genuine child of God, who is known by the Lord and departs from sin.

The Bible does not expect the Christian to sin. The norm is not to sin. If He can keep you from sin in the last hour what is to stop His victory in you from continuing?

In Ps 24: 4 we are told the only one who can ascend the hill of the Lord is the one who “hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Praying for revival is useless if you do not have clean hands a pure heart and lips that holy.

So, intimacy with God and continual depature from sin, are the marks of the only unshakeable foundation. Are you on this foundation?