The Bible expects us to increase our intimacy with the Lord and with others (Mt 22:37-39). We are told to continually grow spiritually so we more fully appropriate God’s grace and, thus, enjoy an ever-expanding experiential knowledge of Him (2 Pet 3:18, Wuest). This means we are to learn to love God and others more fully (1 Thess 3:12; Phil 1:9). We don’t start off loving the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. It is a process of becoming more loving and intimate as we grow spiritually (Phil 3:8, 10, AB).
Part of how we cultivate intimacy is by lavishly expressing appreciation, love, and gratitude to another (Prov 31:28-29). Even our nonverbal messages can convey genuine enjoyment in being with the other (SS 4:9). Besides this, we seek a full understanding of them so we can more effectively give and receive healing, comfort, encouragement, and joy (1 Cor 16:18). We lovingly prioritize that person as is seen in Tit 2:4 where the list of directives for wives start and end with the husband. Furthermore, we are selfless enough to make sacrifices (such as not needing to be right or in control) and are appropriately protective of what is best for the other person (Eph 5:25, 31). Finally, we focus on areas of agreement instead of disagreement and on face-to-face contact rather than less personal forms of connecting whenever that is possible (Jn 14:20, 23; Rev 3:20).
Let us seek to enrich our intimacy with God and others – especially with our spouse and nurturing believers.
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.