COMPREHENDING THE MAGNITUDE -- Tomorrow:
"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 3:17-19)
"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."
The objective for God putting strength in our "inner man" through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, is provocative. It is not to make us equal to the challenges of life, although that will occur. It is not to enable us to fulfill our ministry, although that too will certainly occur. It is not to fill us with wisdom, even though that will also result. The purpose transcends the world and time. It is higher than human experience.
God has planned great things for His people, but they must be made adequate for them. This can only occur if Christ Jesus dwells in their hearts--if He makes His habitation with them. As a whole, God's people are "builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22). As individuals, however, they are intended to be a dwelling place for the Lord Jesus Himself.
Jesus said of certain individuals, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23). Making His "abode" with a person is the same as dwelling in their heart. This is Jesus Christ taking up residence within the believer. Remember, it is "Christ in you" that is the "hope of glory" (Col 1:27).
This is not something that occurs easily. Nor, indeed, is it something that takes place automatically. If this were the case, there would be no need for prayer -- prayer for the church, the body of the redeemed. This requires the interposition of God and the Holy Spirit. God, through the rich adequacy of His glory, grants us to be strengthened in our inner man with His own might. This is accomplished through the Holy Spirit.
This marvelous work takes place in those who are "saints" and "the faithful in Christ Jesus" (Eph 1:1). It is for those who trusted in the Lord after they "heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation," believed in Jesus, and were "sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Eph 1:13). These people -- accepted people (Eph 1:6) -- must be strengthened with Divine might by the Holy Spirit in order that Christ might "dwell" in their hearts! Candidly, I must admit that circumstance is highly destructive of much theology!
You are a rational being, with unimaginable powers--but unless Christ dwells in you, you cannot obtain the blessing! Christ is Sovereign, over the kings of the earth. Everything in heaven and earth has been made subject to Him, and all authority belongs to Him. However, if you do not have faith, so far as you are concerned, it is all to no avail!
We cannot overstate the role of faith in this indwelling. Faith is the root from which every grace grows. Without it, it is "impossible" to please God (Heb 11:6). Apart from it, Christ cannot dwell within us, profession notwithstanding. The Holy Spirit uses YOUR faith to bring strength to your inner man. When this is done, Christ can dwell in your heart, preserving instead of destroying you.
If you are ever tempted to take for granted that Christ dwells within your heart, ponder this passage. It will contribute to the sobriety that is urged upon the saints of God.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I take great delight in the fact You have provided a means through which Christ can remain in my heart!