When Jesus Dwells in You Richly

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

Bible study

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12, ESV).

I recently had a conversation with my son about knowing God. We talked about how he could memorize all sorts of information about his favorite YouTuber. He could quote countless factoids about him. However, this does not mean that he knows the guy. Instead, he is admiring him from a distance.

Tragically, so many people alive today approach God’s existence this way. Many can recite all sorts of information about Him. This can even include a knowledge of Scripture without real knowledge of God. Even the devil can quote Scripture. I think that no one would dispute, however, that he has no relationship with God. Facts and memorization do not necessarily lead to knowing God personally.

Daddy God does not want to be a distant public figure, to be admired from a distance. Instead, He wants to be intimately involved with you and me. He cares passionately about every detail of our lives. Once we hear Him calling at the door of our hearts and let Him in, something beautiful starts to happen. He comes to dwell in us. He takes up permanent residence in the very core of us.

Did you know that one of His names is the Word of God (Rev. 19:13)? When we give Him our “yes,” the Word begins to “dwell in us richly, with all wisdom” (Col. 3:16). That is, Jesus Himself begins to dwell in us richly. He begins to impart to us wisdom that would be impossible for us to have on our own. He Himself is “the Wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24).

As the Word of God, He is “living and active” (Heb. 4:12). His presence inside of us is dynamic, constantly at work, making improvements, fixing up the place, bringing forth beauty that wasn’t there before. He also begins to show us what we had not previously been able to see: the hidden “thoughts and intentions of the heart.” As we yield each one of these to Him, He initiates a very slow, gradual process of transformation. He begins to shape these newly exposed spaces into places that reflect His loveliness.

All of this wonderful, exacting, glorious, all-consuming process comes out of knowing Jesus intimately… as one can only know Him from oneness with Him. His indwelling, and His constant renovation work, is up close and very personal.

What, then, is our place in this process? Simply to give Him room. To make room for Him, and to surrender continually to His restoration project. We are to “humbly accept the word God has planted in our hearts, for it has the power to save our souls” (James 1:21, NLT, personalized). Who is that Word again? Jesus. As we humbly yield to His very life being planted inside of us, His living and active presence never ceases to work in us. It literally has power to save our souls. Right this very moment, that’s what Jesus the Word is doing inside of us. Saving us. Changing us. Bringing us further and further into abundant life.

“So this is why we abandon everything morally impure and all forms of wicked conduct. Instead, with a sensitive spirit we absorb God’s Word, which has been implanted within our nature, for the Word of Life has power to continually deliver us” (James 1:21, TPT).

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Have you experienced the Word as living and active, constantly at work inside of you? Would you share something about how you experience Him that way? I’d love to hear about it!

 

 

19 thoughts on “When Jesus Dwells in You Richly”

  2. “As we humbly yield to His very life being planted inside of us, His living and active presence never ceases to work in us. It literally has power to save our souls.”
    This is so true and I experience it everyday. This is such a beautiful post.

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  3. This reminds me of a quote from Anthony de Mello “We need to lose our minds and come to our senses. His Grace allows me to discern what I’m thinking and the folly of attempting to explain how Jesus is in me and instead just dwell in His radical Love

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  4. Awesome post, Jennifer! I love everything you said–knowing about God vs. knowing God, Him taking residence inside us and transforming us to reflect His loveliness. Though I was a lifelong church-goer, my head knowledge turned to heart knowledge when I took a class on the Bible that forced me to submerge myself in the Word (and I kept going after the class). The Spirit started really convicting me on my former obsession with politics and the often-condescending way I talked to and about people. He literally did transform parts of me to reflect His loveliness!

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  5. Lord, I pray that what I write and share, be more then mere words. Take from my life and thoughts, that which may bless and draw others closer to You. Amen
    Take a day, maybe today, and before going to bed, review with Jesus all your thoughts, conversations and actions that you can recall. Speak to Him as your closest friend. Pause and allow Spirit to speak and draw you close. Write down what comes to mind. Communication is the foundation of relationship. When people ask me, how did Jesus pray all night to the Father, I say He shared His day with Him. Each moment of our life is a gift from God. When you receive a gift, are you not joyous and excited to share your thoughts with those you love ? Father so looks forward for His children to express their thankfulness and pleasure with Him. In doing this, my days become more excellent then I could ever imagine. Thank You Father for listening. Amen Len W.

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  6. The only way to truly know GOD is to read the Bible. You will learn of HIS heart and character, for HIS grace and love and forgiveness for us. I feel HIM near daily through praise and prayer. I find myself having constant conversation with HIM. I know HE sees me and hears me. I am so thankful that I recognize the Shepherd’s voice! Great post!

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  9. Pingback: My Community Pick(month of June)When Jesus Dwells in You Richly – mendel’sblog

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