Bishop's letter: Intimacy

Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 February 2011 09:32 Wednesday, 23 February 2011 09:23

Surely being close, being caring, being friendly isn’t inappropriate? And what does that say about the central relationship we can have with God in Jesus Christ which by definition is intimate?

Surely what is silly is to imagine that keeping people at arm’s length is the way to foster sound relationships when the primary definition of the word ‘intimate’ according to The NZ Oxford Dictionary says otherwise: ‘having a close relationship or friendship with a person’.

Our interpersonal relationships which we hope mirror something of our relationship with God are supposed to contain hospitality, friendship and care, and for those we are closest to – affection.

The incarnation – of God coming into our world in a person – Jesus, demonstrates how much God loves us and that’s intimate. The relationship is close, is dear, is caring, is sacrificial. And we are the beneficiaries of that. I would have thought that the fabric of an intimate relationship is better described in the words of St Paul’s letter to the Colossians, chapter 3: verse 12

Then put on the garments that suit God’s chosen people, his own, his beloved: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience …

V14 …

To crown all there must be love, to bind all together and complete the whole.

+TomBishop of Wellington