DAILY DEVOTION, 12/19/20, Christ in You

Paul was quite fond of the doctrine of the indwelling Christ. I have spoken on this theme before. We continue that theme today from a little different perspective. Paul is writing to his beloved Galatians, who gave him fits. They were so quick to turn away from Jesus. Paul says to them, “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you...” (Galatians 4:19). In other words, the essence of Christianity is this remarkable truth: Christ came from heaven and died for us on the cross and rose again so that, in the person of the Holy Spirit, he might indwell our lives. The possibilities are boundless. We’re not talking about an annual event like Christmas. We’re talking about a perpetual indwelling. We’re not talking about something that is basically sentimental. What we’re talking about now is something utterly supernatural: God in Christ, through the Holy Spirit, born in men’s and women’s lives. The difference ought to be obvious. We are not thinking of human beings on an annual basis during the Christmas season being good and kind and trying hard, and then eventually giving up. Now we’re talking about God in Christ in the person of the Holy Spirit empowering people to be what they’re not and to do what they can’t. That which is born of you is born of the Holy Spirit: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel said to Mary. He says the same to us. Paul thinks of himself as a mother in childbirth, hoping the Galatians will get the picture and open their hearts to Jesus that He might come and dwell in their hearts. How is it with your heart?

Thank You, Father, for dwelling in our hearts. We need to know that You are close to us. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me daily, In Jesus’ name, Amen.