Jesus At Home In Your Heart By Pete BriscoeSample

Your Heart, His Home

The more we get what we now call “ourselves” out of the way and let Him take us over, the more truly ourselves we become… He made [us] all. He invented—as an author invents characters in a novel—all the different [people] that you and I were intended to be… It is when I turn to Christ, when I give myself up to His Personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own. — C. S. Lewis

It’s not easy trying to explain to children that Christ lives in their hearts. Undoubtedly, there’s always that literal child who wants to know how He fits in there. Why did He choose her heart and not her ears so she can hear Him? Can He cause her heart to explode?

As I try to explain all the intricacies of a heart-dweller, I end up entering into a theological conversation far above her level. She walks away perplexed, and I walk away amazed.

After all, she’s right. Jesus isn’t contained in her heart. That’s taking the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit and compressing it, compacting it to manageable size. The essence of indwelling is that Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, indwells us—lives in you—through the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity.

...And I no longer live, but Christ lives in me... (Galatians 2:20)

The Greek for "in" means to rest and settle down. Paul could have chosen another Greek word, "eis", which means to move into—but he didn’t. He chose "en". If you are in Christ, then Christ is in you already. His Spirit has come to rest in you. He has settled in you. God Himself lives in you.

The Spirit’s settling is so complete that it’s unity. Can you understand the implications? You never again have to ask for help as though Jesus and you were two separate entities. You are one. His life is your life. You persevere in His strength. You love with His love.

In Him, You fully and finally find yourself.

Lord, not only do You live in me, but You love me. You want to settle here. You call me home. What grace! Fill me to full and overflowing, Lord, so I spill this grace onto those around me. Then all will know there’s no containing You. Amen.