2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19 ESV, Romans 8:9-25 ESV, Psalm 18:16-36 ESV, Proverbs 19:26 ESV
Daily Verse: “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” (Romans 8:9 ESV)
OIKEO (3611): “To dwell” (from oikos, “a house”), “to inhabit as one’s abode.” It is used of God as dwelling in light, 1 Ti 6:16; of the indwelling of the Spirit of God in the believer, Rom 8:9.”[i]
One’s abode.
When the Holy Spirit takes residence inside us, we become His abode. God’s address comes from within us. Light enters our soul, brilliant radiance kicking the darkness from our hearts as we let God into every nook and cranny of our being.
Often, we only allow God into the foyers of our home. Not wanting to expose our misdeeds, we give Jesus partial access to our hearts. Locking the door on the messy rooms in our hearts doesn’t allow healing. But if we genuinely want to experience freedom in Christ, we must also expose the ugly parts to Him.
And if we don’t give Jesus access, we don’t belong to Him.
Open the door.
During my childhood, my bedroom remained a colossal mess. Clothes and toys everywhere, closing the door hid the clutter. I hated when mom made me clean my room, comfortable in the turmoil of my sanctuary. But when I did, I would leave my door open for everyone to see the clean floors, dusted shelves, and made bed.
God wants you to open the door of your heart to Him. He’s not asking you to do the cleaning yourself; Jesus wants to help you pick up the mess. No one understands your hurts and heartaches more than Christ. You don’t have to hide the unpleasant rooms from God; He already knows what’s behind the closed door.
Accepting God’s unconditional love happens when we open the doors to our hearts and give Him full access to us. Allow the Holy Spirit to take up residence in your today. Take a few moments and ask Jesus to search your heart. Let Christ show you the areas He doesn’t have access to, then open the door and welcome Him into the mess.
Allow Jesus to clean the messy rooms of your heart, bringing you freedom from sin. Live life to the fullest, forgiven and free in Jesus. No one loves you more than Christ; nothing you do will change His affection for you. Giving Him access to your whole heart will bring full life to you in ways you won’t know until you invite Jesus into your entire abode.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 176) Thomas Nelson
