Can God Make His Home With You?

   Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.  He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me” (John 14:23-24).  Most religious people would hope that God would make His home with them. But here, Jesus makes it very clear with whom He and the Father will abide. 

   We must love God in order for Him to make his home with us.  Jesus tells us that the greatest command to us is “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). We must love Him more than anyone or anything else including our families, our dearest loved ones, and even our own lives (Luke 14:26).  To what degree do you love the Lord? Whole-hearted love carries with it the idea that all of our decisions are affected by that love. Our every thought and deed are done only after considering the effect that thought or deed will have on the one we love. It makes sense that God would make His home only with those who Love Him and want Him to be with them.

   How is it known when one loves another?  Jesus goes on to  say that  if we  love  Him,  we will keep His word (John 14:23). Our love for Him is manifested by our obedience to His will.  So many people claim to have faith in and love for God, yet they prove otherwise with their lives.  Those who refuse to follow the word of God are fooling no one with their pseudo-love for Him. On the Day of Judgment, the Bible will be opened, and each of our lives will be measured by its contents (Revelation 20:12). It will be a sad day for those who follow not after the will of the Father. No doubt some of them will say, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” (Matthew 7:22).  But Jesus will reply, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”  (Matthew 7:23). Some see this statement as harsh & unloving, but if it were not for the great show of love that God made for us in sending Christ to die for us, we would have no chance and no hope. After doing that great thing for us, God merely asks that we keep His commands.  “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

   Do you truly love God? Does it show in your actions? Make your heart a suitable home for the Lord by loving Him and obeying His will.  Remember, if it is not the Lord God who lives in your heart there IS someone else abiding within you (John 8:44).