In the Song of Songs, the Shulamite maiden says, “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth!” (Songs 1:2). This has always intrigued me. As a man who’s called to be single and celibate, I look to God for my intimacy. As I said in my post, “I AM from Where Love Comes,” He’s the only one who loves me. I’ve learned this the hard way, but any love that comes towards me, comes from Him even when displayed through a person. I don’t think this is just a John-celibate thing. I believe it’s actually about all of us, because love is God! Love’s ONLY source is God or it truly isn’t love.
My being called to celibacy is actually an advantage I have on most. I have to seek my Beloved in heaven to be my love. (Although I believe that’s for everyone called to be the Bride of Christ—male, female, married or single.) Human love, at its best, is all about self. This is not saying that God cannot bring forth His love through His human vessels. But love, whose source is human interest, is not actually eternal. The best human love is only temporal and usually selfish.
“The basis of HUMAN love is self-love.
You love in order to GET.
You give love to get love.”– Martha Kilpatrick (Do You Love Me?)
Now, I want to bridge the Blood posts I’ve written with Bridal intimacy. I want to do this because without Blood there is no intimacy. When we seek intimacy from our Beloved in heaven, there’s only one way that He will be intimate with us—that way is through the Blood of Christ.
So as far as the Shulamite maiden asking for the kisses of his mouth, I realized that this could only be achieved with the cleansing work of the Blood. As the Bride of Christ, I must receive His Blood and be washed. Christ’s Blood is to cleanse my lips so I can speak of my Beloved and for intimacy with my God.
Look at Isaiah, who saw the glory of the Lord fill the Temple. God was revealing Himself to Isaiah most intimately. As a response to this encounter, Isaiah begged to be cleansed. To do this, an angel placed a burning coal on his lips to purify them (Isaiah 6). The call to intimacy requires purification.
If I’m looking for intimacy with God but avoiding His ways, I’ll be sorely disappointed. God will not have intimacy with me without my being washed with Christ’s Blood. Just like in the days of the Temple, blood was the passageway into relationship with God. It hasn’t changed to this day. What God looks for is lovers cleansed with Blood and made pure. “Kiss me with the kisses of your mouth” is impossible without being cleansed by the Blood.
What a blessing to hear a man who is the bride of Jesus! Thank you!
“If I’m looking for intimacy with God but avoiding His ways, I’ll be sorely disappointed. God will not have intimacy with me without my being washed with Christ’s Blood. ” That is so true, there is no such a thing as walking in offense and intimacy with God at the same time. Only by the washing of His Blood. Thank you John!
Made me wonder about Communion/wine/blood/mouth/cleansing connection–
Your messages are always such a blessing John…and the way in which you have embraced your calling is such an inspiration. I love this word that you shared today!
I know it’s unrelated, but at IHOP, they are very fond of this verse in the Song of Solomon and pray it: “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His Word.” The path to intimacy with our Bridegroom is through the Written Word becoming the Living Word imparted and becoming one with us. Blessings to you always, precious brother.
Thank you for the connection John…The Blood and The Bride.
“…precious is the flow that makes me white as snow…”
Pure enough ONLY by His Blood to become His Bride.
Love