God Makes His Home In Us

 

GOD MAKES HIS HOME IN US

1 John 4:7–18 (NLT)

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

GOD LIVING IN US

Have you ever thought about what it really means when Scripture says that God lives in us and we live in God?

That is an incredible thought!

John keeps coming back to this idea throughout these verses. He tells us that God lives in us, that we live in God, and that His love is being brought to full expression through us.

There are two Greek words that help us understand this a little better: meno and agape.

Meno — To Remain, Abide, and Dwell

The Greek word meno means to remain, stay, abide, dwell, or continue.

It isn't the idea of stopping by for a visit and then leaving.

It carries the idea of staying.

Making a home.

Remaining connected.

When John tells us that we live in God and God lives in us, he is describing something much deeper than simply going to church on Sunday or saying a prayer before we go to bed.

God isn't supposed to be a weekend visitor in our lives.

He makes His home with us.

He is with us when we wake up in the morning, when we're working, when we're serving others, when we're laughing with friends, when we're tired, and even when we're wandering through the woods on a chilly Maine day.

Today, Marge and I are heading deep into the Northern Maine woods on her side-by-side. I can already imagine the crisp air, the trees, the trails, and all the beauty God has created.

And I don't have to go looking for God when I get there.

He is already there.

Actually, He is already with me.

And He is with you wherever you are today.

Agape — Love That Acts

The other Greek word is agape.

Agape describes a self-giving, deliberate kind of love. It isn't simply a warm feeling we have when everything is going well.

It is love that chooses to act.

God didn't simply say He loved us.

He demonstrated His love by sending Jesus.

That's agape.

And because God is love, when we remain in Him, His love begins to overflow through us.

Sometimes we make Christianity harder than it needs to be.

We think we have to manufacture enough patience, kindness, forgiveness, compassion, and love all by ourselves.

But maybe John is reminding us that we don't have to manufacture what God is already pouring into us.

We simply need to remain in Him.

When we stay connected to God, His love has room to work through us.

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN REAL LIFE?

It can look like a friend climbing into a side-by-side with you for an entire day of adventure.

It can look like making sandwiches with children at church and watching them learn that serving others matters.

It can look like making a pot of soup because you know hungry people will come through the door.

It can look like forgiving someone when forgiveness doesn't come easily.

It can look like loving someone who isn't particularly easy to love.

It can look like sitting quietly beside someone who is hurting.

It can even look like taking a deep breath when life feels overwhelming and whispering:

"God, I know You are here."

Because He is.

And here's the part I really love.

John says that perfect love drives out fear.

That doesn't mean Christians will never feel afraid. We are human. We get scared, worried, overwhelmed, and uncertain.

But fear doesn't have to be the boss of us.

When we remember who lives in us, fear doesn't get the final word.

God's love does.

Today, as Marge and I ride through the woods, I want to slow down enough to notice God's fingerprints everywhere.

The trees.

The changing leaves.

The cool air.

The sunlight coming through the branches.

The sounds of the woods.

And the laughter of a friend.

I want to remember that I'm not going into the woods to find God.

I'm going into the woods with God.

And maybe that's something we all need to remember today.

You don't have to wait until Sunday.

You don't have to be sitting inside a church.

You don't have to have everything figured out.

You don't have to be having a perfect day.

God makes His home in His people.

He is with you right where you are.

So today, take a deep breath.

Look around.

Notice something beautiful.

And remember:

You are loved.

You are not alone.

God is with you.

And His love is still at work in you.

Now go live like it. ❤️

Father God,

Thank You for loving us with a love we could never earn and could never repay.

Thank You for sending Jesus to show us what real love looks like.

Help us to remain in You—to meno—to stay connected to You and allow You to make Your home in our hearts.

When fear tries to take over, remind us that Your perfect love is greater than our fear.

When we don't feel loving, help Your love overflow through us anyway.

Help us to notice You today—not only in church, but in the ordinary moments of life. Help us see You in the trees, the laughter, the people we meet, the work we do, and the beauty of Your creation.

Today, as Marge and I travel through the Northern Maine woods, keep us safe and let us enjoy every moment of the adventure. Thank You for friendship, laughter, fresh air, and the privilege of simply enjoying what You have created.

And wherever this prayer finds someone today, meet them right where they are.

Remind them that You haven't left them.

You haven't forgotten them.

You are making Your home with them.

We love You, Lord.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

And the power,

And the glory,

Forever and ever.

Amen.

BELIEVE, OBEY, BE BLESSED AMEN BOBBA ❤️

Love, Penny 💛 

#Godisgood #faith #devotional