THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHRIST'S INDWELLING

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)

Devotion 3 of 16

THE INVOLVEMENT OF DEITY

I feel constrained to emphasize the Godhead is involved in our salvation from its determination to its culmination. In its determination, God the Father planned with an "eternal purpose" to conform a people to the Divine image, making them participants in that Nature (Eph 3:11; Rom 8:29; 2 Pet 1:4) . The Lamb was chosen and slain from the foundation of the world (1 Pet 1:20; Rev 13:8). He was promised the heathen as an inheritance, as well as the ancient people Israel, who were too small for such a large undertaking (Psa 2:98; Isa 49:6). The Holy Spirit was dispatched to inspire the prophets, giving them glimpses of an "eternal redemption," and preparing men for the reception of the coming Savior (1 Pet 1:11-12).

In time, the Father orchestrated the creation, direction, illumination, and preservation of mankind (Gen 1:1; Eph 1:9-11; 3:11). The Word became flesh, laid down His life, took it up again, and presently reigns to bring many sons to glory (John 1:14; 10:17-18; Heb 2:10). The Holy Spirit directed the writing of the Scriptures, convicts sinners, and comforts and fills believers with all joy and peace in believing (2 Pet 1:21; John 16:8-11; Rom 15:3).

There is not aspect of salvation in which Deity is not immediately involved. It is not something about which men are to debate, but is a matter of revelation. In salvation the Father says, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor 6:16). The Lord Jesus says, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him" (John 14:21). As individuals, and collectively, the people of God are a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. As it is written, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" (1 Cor 6:19). Again, "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:21).

It is my persuasion that there is too much philosophy in the pulpit, theorizing in theology, and carnality in the church. There is a certain poverty to contemporary religion that is sensed by the person in a quest of glory. Whether it is at the scholastic level, the practical aspects of everyday life, or formal ministry, there is no need for any person to be stricken with spiritual poverty. There is abundant provision in Christ Jesus, and it is realized in the indwelling Christ. It is time to declare war on anything and every thing that does not require Jesus Christ, God's Son. Any representation of the Christian life that does not have Jesus at its center is false, and therefore to be refused.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank You for a salvation in which You, Your Son, and Your Spirit are active. Give me grace to see this and live with it in my heart and mind.

-- Tomorrow: A BRIEF OVERVIEW of Ephesians 3:16-19 --