Jesus’ Dwelling

Sep 12 2025 - Eric Buresh

The Christian life is not a mere profession of belief, nor a cold adherence to doctrine. It is a living reality: “Christ dwelling in your hearts through faith.” The word Paul uses here suggests more than a guest visiting; it is Christ making His home within us—filling the rooms, shaping the atmosphere, rearranging what does not belong, until our very hearts are His dwelling place. 

And how is this holy indwelling accomplished? Not by works, nor by ritual, but by faith—pistis in the Greek-- the trustful reliance and dependence on the Son of God. As we learn to rely and depend wholly on Him for every aspect of Life, Christ settles in by His Spirit, and His presence transforms us from within. 

If faith is the key, let us strengthen our faith with the instruments God has provided. Through prayer, we commune with Him daily. Through Scripture, we hear His voice and learn to trust Him. Through the fellowship of the saints, we find encouragement to persevere. Weak faith falters, but nourished faith flourishes, and where faith flourishes, Christ makes His dwelling. 

Paul piles up metaphors to press this truth deeper. He speaks of being rooted, like a mighty tree drawing strength from rich soil, and grounded, like a building resting secure upon its foundation. And what is this soil, this foundation? Love—the love of Christ poured into our hearts. Without love, the soul withers and the structure falls. But with love, there is both nourishment and stability, growth and strength. Love is the ground in which we stand firm, and the stream from which we drink deep. 

But love is not only the root of the Christian life; it is its fruit. The heart where Christ dwells begins to beat with His own compassion. The believer rooted in Christ’s love begins to show that same love to others—forgiving, serving, giving, bearing, enduring. Love is the mark of Christ’s presence. Love is the fragrance that proves He has taken up residence. Love is both the soil beneath us and the blossom above us. 

Let this be our prayer—that Christ would dwell as a Lord at home in our hearts; that faith would throw open every door to Him; that love would be both our strength and our song; that we begin to grasp, with all the saints, the immeasurable width, length, depth, and height of the love of Christ—a love that surpasses knowledge, yet fills all in all.