"Does Christ Dwell...

[GRACE_ambassador]

...in Your Heart?

​

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...”​

(Eph. 3:17a).​

The above Scripture is an excerpt from Paul’s prayer showing how he prayed
for power and spiritual maturity for Christians. What has perplexed many
thinking students of God’s Word is why he would request that “Christ may
Dwell in your hearts by faith” when the Bible plainly teaches that all
believers have already been Indwelt By Christ...

...our state or condition in this world is far from perfect and requires our
continual growth in knowledge and godliness. The goal of the Christian life
is not to be saved (that is only the beginning), but to be conformed to the
image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). Even the Apostle Paul had to recognize that
he had not yet attained to this spiritual objective (Phil. 3:10-14)...

...The normal course of action when we realize the Spirit’s grieving in us is
to obey God’s Word and be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit. The parallel
verse in Colossians 3:16 tells us that in order to do this, we should “let the
Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” This “Word of Christ” to us
Gentiles in this Dispensation of Grace refers specifically to Paul’s epistles...
"
(K Lawson)

FULL study:
Does Christ Dwell in Your Heart?

GRACE, Peace, And JOY...

 

[Cameron143]

...in Your Heart?

​

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...”​

(Eph. 3:17a).​

The above Scripture is an excerpt from Paul’s prayer showing how he prayed
for power and spiritual maturity for Christians. What has perplexed many
thinking students of God’s Word is why he would request that “Christ may
Dwell in your hearts by faith” when the Bible plainly teaches that all
believers have already been Indwelt By Christ...

...our state or condition in this world is far from perfect and requires our
continual growth in knowledge and godliness. The goal of the Christian life
is not to be saved (that is only the beginning), but to be conformed to the
image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). Even the Apostle Paul had to recognize that
he had not yet attained to this spiritual objective (Phil. 3:10-14)...

...The normal course of action when we realize the Spirit’s grieving in us is
to obey God’s Word and be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit. The parallel
verse in Colossians 3:16 tells us that in order to do this, we should “let the
Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” This “Word of Christ” to us
Gentiles in this Dispensation of Grace refers specifically to Paul’s epistles...
"
(K Lawson)

FULL study:
Does Christ Dwell in Your Heart?

GRACE, Peace, And JOY...

I enjoyed your comments. Just have a question. Why do you limit the "Word of Christ " to Paul's epistles?

 

[Runningman]

Interesting thread and has left me with a deeper sense of understanding.

Seems like the key to understanding that passage is to understand what the heart is referring to. It isn't the blood-pumping organ in this case. I think it refers to the feelings/intentions/thoughts that someone has. Looks like there are 152 verses of it being used this way in the New Testament.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

I enjoyed your comments. Just have a question. Why do you limit the "Word of Christ " to Paul's epistles?

Thanks Precious friend - appreciate your encouragement. In reference to:

"This “Word of Christ” to us Gentiles in this Dispensation of Grace
refers specifically to Paul’s epistles..."

While we believe "ALL Scripture Is Profitable" for our learning, we see
that It is not ALL about us, Nor ALL addressed Directly TO us, who are
Under GRACE Today, which would be specifically Romans through
Philemon, for our "destiny and walk in Today's GRACE race" For Christ.

This Word of Christ then should be delineated/separated From (not
homogenized together with) the Word Of Christ to Israel, under the Law.

Also we note that "Paul did use some of those Law Scriptures"
to help us learn about God's Amazing GRACE better:

The Scriptures of the prophets
+
Distinctions of prophecy And Mystery

These studies have certainly helped me, Thank God, for all the
Confusion that I went through as a New-born babe In Christ.

GRACE, Peace, And JOY In The Word Of Christ...