November
7, 2003
CHRIST
DWELLING IN YOUR HEART
"That
He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner
man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith"
(Ephesians 3:16, 17, NKJV).
Jesus
paid the price for the salvation of every soul who will accept
His claim as the Savior of all mankind. He claims the throne
in the heart of every believer. The minds and bodies of His
followers are subordinated to Him, and the natural habits
and appetites are made subservient to the higher values of
the soul. We can place no dependence on ourselves in this
work. We cannot safely follow our own guidance. The Holy Spirit
will renew and sanctify us, if we are willing.
"When
the heart is cleansed from sin, Christ is placed on the throne
that self-indulgence and love of earthly treasure once occupied.
The image of Christ is seen in the expression of the countenance.
The work of sanctification is carried forward in the soul.
Self-righteousness is banished. There is seen the putting
on of the new man, which after Christ is created in righteousness
and true holiness.
"
'But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror
the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same
image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord'
(2 Corinthians 3:18). Beholding Christ means studying His
life as given in His Word. We are to dig for truth as for
hidden treasure. We are to fix our eyes upon Christ. When
we take Him as our personal Saviour, this gives us boldness
to approach the throne of grace. By beholding we become changed,
morally assimilated to the One who is perfect in character.
By receiving His imputed righteousness, through the transforming
power of the Holy Spirit, we become like Him. The image of
Christ is cherished, and it captivates the whole being.
"The
upward progress of the soul indicates that Jesus bears rule
in the heart. That heart through which He diffuses His peace
and joy, and the blessed fruits of His love, becomes His temple
and His throne. 'You are my friends,'
says Christ, 'if you do whatever I command
you' (John 15:14). Christ's commands are reasonable
because His values are values of love, courtesy, respect and
peace.
"Give
to God the most precious offering that it is possible for
you to make; give Him your heart."--God's Amazing
Grace, p. 96.
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