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This Scripture states that God's purpose in salvation was to reconcile us to Him.  The word reconcile has two meanings.  First is to "reestablish a close relationship between."  The second is "to settle or resolve."  (American Heritage Dictionary)  Both of these definitions apply.  We accept that God provided a way to resolve or settle our sin debt with Him.  But He also wants to restore a fellowship with man that pre-existed the fall, when He walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the garden. 

 But we are humans and God is God -- how can we have a literal relationship with Him that truly meets our needs?  That answer is found in the Word, as well.

 I John 3:24  ...hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

 I John 4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 John 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

 John 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

 Here is where we have to challenge the boundaries of our beliefs.  Do we believe what God says?  Is it possible that through the Holy Spirit we can literally have a relationship that will meet our needs?  The reason we don't experience that type of relationship with God is because we don't believe it is possible. 

 The way we can develop this type of relationship with God is to follow the steps to a good relationship and apply them to our relationship with God.  First of all, we have to believe that the Holy Spirit really will teach us, comfort us, and lead us into truth.  With that understanding, we can then look at the components of a heart-relationship and develop exactly that type of relationship with God.

 First we need to spend time with God.  Just as a deep friendship grows with the quality and quantity of time spent together, so it is in relationship with God.  If your relationship with God is limited to church services and occasional prayer, with maybe a quicky devotional reading or dutiful Bible reading each day, your relationship with God will be no deeper than the relationships you have with most of your acquaintances.  How much time would you spend with a dear friend?  How often would that time be diluted with the presence of 100 other people?  Being with God and 100 other people is not bad, but for a truly intimate relationship, you need one-on-one time.  And you need lots of one-on-one time, not just occasional time with God.

 Second, we need to share common interests.  Did you know that God cares about the same things you care about?   We can go to Him with every little thing!  He cares about all of it.  From your need to experience healing to your need for a hair appointment.  He cares about YOU and that means He cares about everything about you.  At the same time, if I care about Him I will want to learn about what concerns Him, too.  How much thought do I give to that? 

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