Complete transparency?

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. (2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT)

What promises? Look back one verse and you will read: "And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Sons and daughters - living in us and walking among us - those are the promises referenced here. The more we understand just how much God wants us to enjoy his presence among us, the more we will desire to live in such a way that constantly welcomes him into our lives.

There is much to be said about the presence of God, but none more important than the sense of awe and holiness we experience when we enter into it. There is no room for our 'sinful shenanigans in his presence. That is why we might feel a little conviction whenever we enter into his presence after making some form of sinful compromise in our lives. We are convicted because unholiness cannot abide with holiness. His delight is when we confess our shortcomings, leaving them at his feet, and enter fully into his presence with joy and thanksgiving.

Living in us - not just with us. Walking among us - not just observing us from 'on high'. This bespeaks an intimacy that is real - we can experience it because he made a way through his Son Jesus Christ for us to enter into that place of intimate connection with him. I have 'lived with' many individuals in my life. In the military I had lots and lots of roommates. Some lived in a space we all shared, while others lived just one door away, or down the hallway. I didn't have a very close relationship with pretty much any of them. We just lived 'with' each other. That isn't the type of relationship God desires with us, though.

He desires to live among us - in us, as a part of our lives all the time. We cannot 'segment' parts of our lives off and call some 'God places' and others not. We are either 100% 'in' relationship with him, or we aren't. There is really no middle ground if we want to experience the intimacy of relationship with him that he truly desires for all of us. Those women I lived 'with' didn't really get to know me for who I truly am - we were really nothing more than 'comrades in arms'. It took me years to develop really good friendships - ones that truly got to know me for who I am. God isn't content to just be 'with' us - he wants to be IN us. That means he wants to know everything - open, honest, humble relationship with him.

The more we realize he is calling us to live in this manner, the more we might be frightened by the prospect of anyone getting that close to us. Intimacy doesn't come easy for some - but when we invite him into our lives, we can expect nothing less than complete transparency from him. Is it too much to expect the same from us? Just askin...