Christ in your heart

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.
— Ephesians 3:16–17

Is Christ at home in your life?  If He were to walk around from room to room, would He see things that would make Him ill at ease?  Would He see things that might cause Him to ask, "Why do you have that?  What is that on the wall?  What are these magazines?  What is on your computer screen?  What are you reading?  What are you doing?"

The apostle Paul made an interesting statement to the believers at Ephesus.  He said, "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him . . . " (Ephesians 3:16–17).  Why would Paul pray for Christ to dwell in the hearts of Christians?  Doesn't He dwell in the heart of every believer?  Yes, He does.  In Paul's prayer, the word "dwell" has more meaning.  From the original language, "dwell" could be translated, "settle down with finality, be at home in."  So Paul was saying, "My prayer for you Christians is that Christ may settle down and be at home in your heart with finality."

It can be difficult to settle down and feel comfortable in some homes.  Then there are other homes that feel comfortable the moment you walk in.  We should live our lives in such a way that Jesus would be at home in every room of our hearts and where He would have the master key to every lock.

We should be able to say, "Lord, make yourself at home.  Go where you want to go.  Want to look in that closet?  Look in that closet.  Anywhere you want to go, it is all yours, because you are a permanent resident."

Is Jesus settled down and at home in your heart? Harvest Daily Devotion for 1/3/2011: "At Home in Your Heart?"