INDWELT BY DEITY

"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).

Devotion 1 of 9

INTRODUCTION

There is no question in God's Word about the possibility of Deity indwelling mankind. God clearly affirms that He dwells within the humble and contrite heart, even though the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him (Isa 57:15). The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each set forth as dwelling within the redeemed (John 14:23; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 3:17; Rom 8:9,11; 1 John 4:13). Although this is challenging to our faith, we must have the courage to honor God in our acceptance of the truth. That is the unique prerogative of faith. Throughout religious history, the subject of man being indwelt by God has been highly controversial. But this has never been the case in Scripture. The Word of God affirms that God and man are joined together in Christ Jesus.

THE REASON FOR MANKIND God desired to diffuse Himself

The greatness of God has not generally been appreciated by those professing allegiance to Him. In salvation, God is extending His Person through His own offspring. He has determined to accomplish His purpose through a special creation. He is not merely instructing people how to live, but is Himself living through and in them.

A spectacle to angels

The enterprise of salvation is bringing God's purpose to fruition. All the while, angelic hosts, themselves stronger and wiser than man, are the appointed spectators. Divine purpose involves the display of God's wisdom through the "church." That is the proclamation of Scripture. "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God" (Eph. 3:9-10). Peter informs us of the angel's desire to probe into the very Gospel we have heard, believed, and obeyed. "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into" (1 Pet. 1:10-12). Their inquiry is not for purposes of gathering information or data. It is the comprehension of the marvelous wisdom of God that they seek--and it is nowhere made known to the degree that it is in your salvation.

The world to come

Take away the "world to come," and salvation is not important, nor could it ever be experienced. The purpose for the "great salvation" that has been brought to us by Christ is the preparation of individuals for the world to come. That is what it is all about. While some emphasize this world, God emphasizes the one that is to come. "For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak" (Heb. 2:5). Jesus talked about this also. "But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life" (Mark 10:30). The Scriptures describe one aspect of regeneration as tasting of the "powers of the world to come" (Heb. 6:5). The remarkable absence of this emphasis in today's preaching confirms that we are in the midst of a great falling away. This "present evil world" (Gal. 1:4) has become dominate; therefore, the one that is to come has become relatively insignificant. PRAYER POINT: Father, I long for Your presence in my person. I rejoice You have promised to dwell in a humble and contrite heart, and with the one who delights in and keeps Your word. That is my desire. Grant me strength and grace to be a suitable temple for such a blessing.

-- TOMORROW: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER --