“… that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Ephesians 3:17)
What an inheritance we have in Christ! In him we have “every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3). With him we have been raised up and seated in the heavens (2:6). And through him our sins have been washed away (1:7). And even more amazing, we don’t have to wait for heaven to begin to experience it. It is ours for the taking right here and right now! We can experience Jesus dwelling in our hearts, giving us peace with God and with those around us. We can know the surpassing love of God and receive comfort and strength from his love every day.
This truly is a beautiful picture! However, in the daily grind of our lives, facing difficulties in our families and at our jobs, or beset by our own weaknesses and sins, the thought of enjoying the Christian life may seem like a distant dream. The issues we face can so fill our thoughts that we don’t reach up to the Lord for a share in what he has promised.
That’s why Paul prayed that we would all be strengthened interiorly—so that we could grasp and comprehend the full measure of God’s gift to us right now.
Brothers and sisters, God really has given us every spiritual blessing. He really has poured his eternal, life-giving Holy Spirit into our hearts. Now he asks us to be willing to be changed by his grace and to accept what he has done for us. He asks us not to focus on our problems but his power. He asks us to give up resentments and grudges—including bitterness toward him. In place of all this, he is inviting us to place our faith and hope in his goodness toward us.
Holding on to your own ways of thinking is the one thing that will keep the Holy Spirit from transforming you. Don’t do it! Let his grace go to work in your heart. He stands at the door of your heart, ready for you to open up to him. So try your best to cooperate with him, for the reward is great!
“Thank you, Father, for the glorious inheritance you have given me. Transform my heart, and make my faith strong enough to take hold of my inheritance.”
Psalm 33:1-2 ,4-5, 11-12, 18-19; Luke 12:49-53