Assassins Among Us #24: The Spirit as Access and Intimacy

New here? Start at the beginning

Yesterday we saw the upgrade—from God WITH Israel to God IN us. But having access and using access are two different things.

ACCESS GRANTED, ACCESS IGNORED

“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” — Ephesians 2:18 (ESV)

Every believer has access to the Father through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. That’s not a promise for super-Christians. That’s not reserved for pastors and missionaries. That’s the birthright of every person who has been born again.

But here’s the tragedy: most believers live as if the veil was never torn.

They pray at the ceiling instead of the throne room. They approach God like He’s distant instead of dwelling within them. They treat the Holy Spirit like an occasional visitor instead of a permanent resident.

Access has been granted. But access is being ignored.

WHAT INTIMACY LOOKS LIKE

“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.” — John 15:4 (ESV)

Intimacy with God isn’t a feeling. It’s a position.

The branch doesn’t strain to connect with the vine. It simply stays connected. It abides. It remains. And from that position of connection, life flows naturally.

This is what the Holy Spirit makes possible. Not occasional visits with God. Constant connection. Not working to earn His presence. Resting in the presence you already have.

Israel had to travel to the tabernacle. You ARE the tabernacle. Israel waited for the cloud to descend. The Spirit already descended—at your conversion—and He’s not leaving.

WHY SO FEW EXPERIENCE IT

If every believer has access, why do so few experience intimacy?

Because intimacy requires attention. And attention requires priority.

Israel couldn’t miss the cloud. It was visible, massive, impossible to ignore. But the Spirit’s presence is subtle. He can be grieved. He can be quenched. He won’t force Himself on you.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” — Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)

You can have the Spirit dwelling in you and still live as if He’s not there. You can have access to the throne room and never enter. You can be sealed for redemption and still live like an orphan.

The access is real. The question is whether you’ll use it.

TOMORROW: THE SPIRIT AS DAILY GUIDANCE

Israel followed the cloud. What does it look like to follow the Spirit?

Most ministries stay in the safe middle. We bring marginalized truth back to the center.

THE PROPHET’S MARGIN Truth From the Narrow Place

ONE TRUE LIGHT MINISTRIES Damascus Road Journey: STOP. LOOK. LISTEN. LIVE. www.onetrulight.org