Philippians 3:10 — “That I may know Him…”
Many people know about Jesus, but far fewer truly know Him. They know His name, His miracles, His teachings, and even His promises, but intimacy goes beyond information. It is relational. It is experiential. It is personal.
Salvation brings us into God’s family, but intimacy is the journey of growing close to His heart. God does not want distant admirers; He desires sons and daughters who walk with Him, hear His voice, and share His heart. The deepest longing of heaven is not just for people to be saved, but for people to know God.
How can you achieve intimacy with God?
- Desire:
Intimacy with God begins with a Holy Hunger.
“That I may know Him…” — Philippians 3:10
Intimacy always begins with desire. You cannot pursue what you do not hunger for. Spiritual hunger is not natural; it is supernatural, and it is a gift from God. David captured this longing when he cried:
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)
A thirsty heart is a powerful heart. When you begin to desire God above comfort, pleasure, or success, intimacy becomes inevitable.
- Time:
A man that desires intimacy with God must of a necessity invest in quality time of fellowship with God. We find this in the lifestyle Jesus set for us as an example. “Very early in the morning, Jesus went out to a solitary place, and there He prayed.” — Mark 1:35.
Intimacy grows where time is given. You cannot develop a relationship without shared moments. Jesus Himself, though fully God, still withdrew regularly to be alone with the Father.
Prayer is not merely talking to God; it is being with Him. It is learning His voice, sensing His heart, and responding to His presence. Time in His Word and in worship draws us deeper into who He truly is.
To achieve this intimacy with God, you must set a daily devotion time free from distractions. Practice stillness and silence before God and journal what the Holy Spirit reveals to you.
- Obedience:
This is a key requirement for intimacy with God. Intimacy grows when we surrender to God in obedience to his instructions. The scripture says, “He who has My commandments and keeps them… I will manifest Myself to him.” — John 14:21
God reveals Himself to the obedient. When you obey God, even when it costs you, you prove that you trust Him. And trust is the foundation of intimacy. The Bible says, “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him.” (Psalm 25:14).
God does not reveal His heart to the careless; He reveals it to the surrendered. We must therefore bear in mind the fact that every act of obedience opens another door into deeper intimacy with God.
- The Fellowship of His Sufferings:
Our love for God must not be only in the good times when things are working out as we expect or desire. Intimacy grows deeper in trying times, especially when we have to suffer because of our faith in God. “…and the fellowship of His sufferings…” — Philippians 3:10
Some of the deepest encounters with Jesus happen in the valleys. Pain has a way of stripping us of self-reliance and drawing us closer to God.
In suffering, we discover that Jesus is not just powerful; He is present. Trials reveal His compassion, His faithfulness, and His sustaining grace in ways comfort never could. Your tears become prayers. Your weakness becomes a doorway to His strength. And in those moments, intimacy is forged.
- The Help of the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is our tour guide in the journey into intimacy with God. “He will guide you into all truth… He will take what is Mine and declare it to you.” — John 16:13–14
You cannot know Jesus deeply by human effort. Intimacy is Spirit-powered. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us, teaches us His ways, and draws us into deeper communion with Him.
As you yield to the Holy Spirit, He leads you beyond surface Christianity into a living, breathing relationship with Jesus.
Intimacy with Jesus is the greatest treasure of life. It surpasses achievements, positions, and possessions. And it is not reserved for pastors, prophets, or special believers. No! It is God’s open invitation to everyone, even you.
Let your heart cry today be “Lord, I don’t just want to serve You. I want to know You.” I desire more than religion; I desire You. Stir my heart with holy hunger. Draw me closer into Your presence.
As you pray this prayer, I trust that the Holy Spirit will help you get on this journey of intimacy with God that is truly transformative. God bless you.
Pst Emeje Godwin Aruwa is the Pastor of the Upper Room Assembly, a Branch of Chapel of Freedom International. He is also the Zonal Pastor of the Ganaja Zone of the Ministry. Emeje is a legal practitioner by profession and lives in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria with his wife Wendy and their children.
