October 23, 2004

THE INDWELLING CHRIST

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend" (Ephesians 3:17, 18, NKJV).

The familiar motto, "Christ is the unseen guest and the silent listener to every conversation," falls short of the beautiful portrait of the indwelling Christ. Our Saviour is not merely a guest, He's a special and permanent member of the home of the human heart. Jesus is no occasional visitor who drops in casually. He abides in our hearts on a permanent basis. He is constantly available to empower, inspire, and enable us by His blessed presence. Jesus Himself expressed this longing for intimacy and at-homeness with His people. In His response to Judas, Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him" (John 14:23, NKJV).

This mystical, yet real, indwelling of Christ in the believer's heart is the secret of strength and daily victory. Paul reveals that the indwelling of Christ by the Holy Spirit makes us "rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17, NKJV). When our Saviour is at home in our hearts, we become spiritually strong and fruitful as a tree that is deeply rooted in the soil. His indwelling also enables us to be grounded in love as a building is made firm by its solid foundation. The indwelling Christ is the ground of unity and love between God and man and between man and his fellow-men.

Ellen G. White reminds us that "If we live for Jesus Christ minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, then Christ will dwell in us; and when we come to [the] social meeting the love of Christ will be in our hearts, welling up like a refreshing spring in the desert, refreshing all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the waters of life."--Review and Herald, April 14, 1885.

My Prayer Today: Lord, by the power of the indwelling Christ, help me to be rooted and grounded in Your love, Amen.