In-dwelling

Inspiration Fountain
Originally uploaded by capturedbythelight

4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. (Psalm 5)
20Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17)

The verse from Psalm 5 is pretty straightforward. God delights in good, and the wicked cannot dwell with Him.

In Luke, Jesus is asked when the kingdom of God would come. And he responded that it’s not something we can see coming. God’s kingdom is within. So in order for us to dwell with God we must be made good. Our standing with God changes from evil to good when we receive Christ into our hearts. Thus, his kingdom resides within….making us good.

I know we cannot see the kingdom, but I believe we can recognize the familiarity of God who resides within us - in others who identify with God through Christ. The spirit of God within us helps us to recognize our fellow believers through a spiritual witness. That is the witness of the Holy Spirit to our spirit granting us discernment, of both good and evil.

We learn of God through the work of the Holy Spirit who imparts God-truth to us in our inner being. This is accomplished through the reading and study of the Word, through fellowship with others, through teaching in the church. And we grow. We grow in God-likeness, or godliness.

God, thank you not only for Christ - Emmanuel – God with us, but also for your Holy Spirit in us. May we increase in goodness, godliness, and wisdom.

Comments

[David Hyer]

I love your blogs mom keep going!!