Is it wrong to be familiar with God?

You may or may not have heard the statement made in a Charismatic meeting. The preacher, after using one or more biblical passage to prove his point, solemnly warning the congregation about the dangers of becoming familiar with God. Often spiritual issues like losing the fear of the Lord, unbelief and pride are listed as the end result of familiarity with the Almighty. But is this really true?

Now I am not for a moment diminishing the seriousness of the aforementioned spiritual issues. But is familiarity with God truly the culprit? One of the passages I've most often encountered that is used in this regard is found in Mark 6:

“Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.” (Mark‬ ‭6:1-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Without reading into the text, what is clear is that the people's reaction to Jesus affected his ministry. Usually when we read about the Lord's ministry it is characterized by healing, deliverance and miracles, but for some reason Jesus' ministry lacked the same potency when he was in his hometown. Close examination of the passage reveals though, that neither the word "familiar" nor "familiarity" feature in the text. In fact, the Lord's amazement at the people's lack of faith (Matt 6:6) is a clear indication of what caused the ministry not to take its usual form. And although Mark shows that the people recognized Jesus as having originated from their town, their taking offense at him, rather than familiarity, is by far the more likely cause for their lack of faith. 

I want to propose that being familiar with God isn't a bad thing at all. Was John being familiar with Jesus when he lay his head on the Lord's chest? He certainly was. But we have no indication from the Word that even hints at it being a negative thing. It gives us some insight into the kind of relationship Jesus and John shared like, and why he was called the beloved disciple. Was Abraham being familiar with God when he asked him to spare Sodom and Gomorrah, pushing him farther and farther in the hope of changing his mind about destroying them? Of course he was. Apart from being called the Father of Faith Abraham is known as God's friend. 

Likewise, the book of Exodus tells us that Moses spoke with God face-to-face, in the same way a man speaks with a friend. Last time I checked, familiarity is a prerequisite for friendship. In Exodus 33 Moses makes a request beyond what one might consider reasonable, especially for someone living in the Old Testament. In verse 18, after making gradual headway with God and realizing that the Lord was in fact pleased with him, Moses simply says, "Now show me Your glory." A little more than a simple request, he seems almost demanding in his tone, and inwardly I cringe waiting for the wrath of the Lord to befall him. And yet God granted him his request and passed before Moses in all His glorious splendour. Moses' familiarity afforded him an experience that very few people have or will undergo on this side of eternity. 

But though there be many others, it is my own experience with my family far more than such biblical examples that settles the matter for me. I often find myself face down and on my knees before the Lord when having morning devotions, usually with some spontaneous worship track off YouTube playing slightly too loud somewhere close by. And although we believe that by drawing near to God He draws near to us; although we understand in theory that He kreally is with us and in us always, one must admit that there are certain times in prayer that the sweet presence of Jesus just overwhelms you. And of late it seems that every time I have that sacred encounter in my inner room; every time I am overcome by the sheer goodness and majesty of the Lord, my sons find me! One would expect those boys to appreciate the gravity of such a holy moment, being pastor's kids and all. But far from evoking a respectful demeanour in them, the sight of their dad on elbows and knees immediately puts them in the mood for playing. And so, with tears of reverence streaming down their daddy's cheeks and incomprehensible prayers streaming from his mouth, the two toddlers set about crawling under and climbing on top of his back. I celebrate such moments. My heart overflows with gratitude towards the Lord for the amazing privilege of having children. But moreover, it is in such moments that I envisage myself running into my Father's presence and seeking out His attention. That moment reminds me that, like my sons, I delight in my Father's touch and feel safe in His embrace because He is familiar to me, and I to Him. We are not subjects who come before a malevolent king, nor are we strangers in the presence of a tyrant. We are beloved sons and daughters for whom the door to our Father's throne room is always open. Our relationship with Him leads us to be familiar, you see. It is a relationship that is described by the very root of the word familiar: FAMILY.

Ibarto Botes