Why is it important to know the Lord intimately?

Why is it important for us to know the Lord in an intimate, personal way? If God loves His children perfectly, and if there is nothing we can do to make Him love us more—or less—why is having a personal relationship with Him so important? Why is it not enough to live as good a life as we can, and let it go at that?

Because if we do, we miss so much. God doesn’t have favorites, but He does have intimates. We see that in Martha and Mary—Martha, busy in the kitchen; Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). In John 11, we hear that their brother, Lazarus, had died. Jesus was away, and as He returned, Martha went out to Him and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21) Then Jesus answered her, “Your brother will rise again. ...I am the resurrection and the life....” (John 11:23, 25)

Then Mary went to Him. She fell at His feet—“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32) Same words. Different response: “When Jesus saw her weeping...He was deeply moved in spirit... and He wept...” (John 11:33, 35) He went to the tomb and raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11: 38-44).

Martha got a theological response. Mary got an emotional response, and a miracle. Which sister knew and loved Jesus in a more personal way? When we pray, how do we want Him to respond to us?