1 CORINTHIANS 3:16 – Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
THEME OF THE DAY: REMEMBER HIS INDWELLING. The scripture today is obviously a question; an important question every Christian needs to visit and answer often. It is the key to fruitful Christian living, a close walk with the Lord, and a strong deterrent against sin. All three of those were lacking in the lives of the recipients of this question from the Apostle Paul; the believers in the church at Corinth. And why? Because when a believer forgets, neglects, or rebels against the indwelling of God’s Spirit, He is grieved and quenched. Or basically, silenced in the child of God. Gone is fruit. Gone is close fellowship with the Lord. Gone is the restraint against sin. But let’s look at the positive centered on today’s theme – remember His presence.
First, by remembering the presence of the Spirit of God in us, we become sensitive to His guidance toward obeying His commands. His promptings are clear. His directions are easily discerned and both lead to a fruitful life for Christ. John 15, the abiding in Christ life, goes from wishful thinking to a daily reality as the Presence of the Spirit teaches us to abide in Christ’s Person, love, and Words producing spiritual fruit in and from us (John 15:5, 7, 9).
Next living with the remembrance of the Spirit’s Presence draws us to experience more the reality of Christ’s Person. Jesus told us the “Spirit will glorify Me” (John 16:14). If we keep before us the truth of His Purpose and the personality of His Person, we will find ourselves experiencing more of this truth from the pen of the Apostle Paul – And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is the chief ministry of the Holy Spirit and He dwells within us!
Finally, in remembrance of the Holy Spirit living within us, we gain a strong deterrent against sin. During any temptation to sin, we may confront and “talk down” the temptation like this, “Why would I give into you and bring shame, even pollution, to the Holy God who dwells with me? I am not going to quench or grieve the precious Spirit of God who willingly chose to dwell within me.” This isn’t some magical chant or feeling. It is the spiritual discipline and resolve to honor the Spirit’s presence in our lives.
So, remember His Presence. He has come, as promised by the Father and Son, to take up permanent and eternal residence within us. Let’s strive with all our being to ensure our houses are “clean” for Him to comfortably reside.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to remember the indwelling of Your Spirit that I might be ever sensitive to Him.”
QUOTE: “Let the radical nature of God not only being with us, but in us, be a daily reality in our lives.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim