“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. . .”
Ephesians 3:17a
It’s as much of a “mysterious Reality” as every part of Who He is.
“The indwelling Christ.”
None of us can grasp the ins-and-outs of Jesus’ virgin birth. Neither can we understand the meaning of “the Word made flesh” (Jn. 1:14) in the Incarnation. Or, how can any of us fathom how anyone’s dying on a cross 2,000 years ago can affect us in a life-changing way or how someone could be stone-cold dead and then rise back up to life?
The answer is “It’s impossible.”
Yet, such is also the case in today’s Manna as we consider the idea of “Christ’s dwelling in our hearts by faith.” That’s why Paul’s prayerful admonition included those two powerful words “by faith”—for it takes simple, childlike faith to not only believe. . .but also experience firsthand . . .these transforming Realities.
Although Jesus walked the face of this earth some 2,000 years ago, He said “I will not leave you comfortless”—i.e., “as orphans” (Jn. 14:18a)—prior to His return to Heaven. And, how would He do this?
Quite simply by “the Father’s giving us another Comforter, Who would abide with us forever” (Jn. 14:16). And, this Comforter—the “Spirit of Truth” (Jn. 14:17a)—would both “dwell WITH us and be IN us” (Jn. 14:17b).
Now, it would seem that this would be an entirely different Person if we didn’t continue reading the last part of v.18b: “I will come to you.” Glory! Do you see it, Pilgrim? That One Who would come to “convict us of sin, the need of Righteousness and Judgment to come” and “guide us into all truth” (Jn. 16:8-11, 13), is Jesus Himself! And, that’s exactly what Paul was talking about when he said “that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.”
The Greek word “katoikeo” is used here for “dwell” and also means “to house permanently, reside, inhabit, cohabit, etc.” and is the common word used for “occupying a house.” Thus, when we remember that we’re “the temple of living God” (I Cor. 3:17; II Cor. 6:16), we’re once again confronted with the mysterious Reality of the Trinity. And, rather than trying to understand this, we should simply glory and rest in it.
Oh, dear Pilgrim, think of it:
The God of the universe lives within your heart after you’re born again. The Lord Jesus, Who gave Himself for you on the Cross and then rose up from the grave after three days, takes us residence within you. And, it is His Holy Spirit (“Holy”=“set apart;” “Spirit”=“life”) within us Who’s promised “to never leave us nor forsake us” (Heb. 13:5b).
That means there’ll never be a situation we’ll face today or tomorrow that He doesn’t know about—for He is Immanuel (“God with us”). There’s never be a burden we’ll bear that He doesn’t say “Hand it over to Me” (I Pet. 5:7; Mt. 11:28-30). Simply put, we’ll never again face life alone—not when “the Indwelling Christ is our constant Friend, Savior and Lord.” Amen!
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated September 15, 2010
