“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” – Ephesians 3:17
LIGHT FOR NOW: The divine nature flourishes in the atmosphere of love. The believer who understands the Father’s love becomes firmly established in the life of Christ.
One of the greatest proofs that a believer is a partaker of the divine nature is not merely the ability to quote Scripture or display spiritual gifts. It is the expression of divine love. Paul prays one of the most beautiful prayers recorded in the New Testament. He says: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith”. At first glance, this may seem confusing. Does Christ not already live in every believer? Indeed, He does.
Paul is not praying for Christ to enter their hearts for the first time. Rather, he is praying that Christ would feel completely at home in their hearts. The word “dwell” comes from the Greek word katoikeo, meaning to settle down permanently, to feel at home, or to occupy fully. In other words, Paul desires that every part of the believer’s life be yielded to Christ’s lordship. Not merely the public life, not merely the Sunday life; but every thought, every decision, every attitude, every ambition, and every relationship. As Christ increasingly occupies every area of our lives, the divine nature is expressed more freely.
Paul then adds: “That ye, being rooted and grounded in love”. Notice the two illustrations. A tree is rooted. A building is grounded upon a foundation. Both pictures speak of stability. The Greek word “rooted” is rhizoo, meaning to establish firmly by roots. The word “grounded” is themelioo, meaning to lay a secure foundation. Paul is teaching that love is both the root that nourishes the believer and the foundation that supports him. Why love? It is because God is love. If believers partake of God’s nature, then love must naturally become the atmosphere in which they live. This is why the fruit of the Spirit begins with love.
Love is the first expression of the divine life. Without love, knowledge becomes pride. Faith becomes self-centred. Service becomes empty duty. Even great spiritual gifts lose their true value when separated from love. The believer who understands the Father’s love does not struggle to love others merely by human effort. He draws from the inexhaustible love already poured into his heart by the Holy Spirit. Just as a river naturally flows because it is connected to its source, the believer loves because he is connected to God, who is love. This also explains why bitterness, unforgiveness, and hatred are inconsistent with the divine nature. They belong to the old life. They do not reflect the new creation.
Whenever believers walk in love, they are allowing the life of God within them to find expression. Jesus Himself declared: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”. Notice that He did not say the world would primarily recognize us by our eloquence, or our miracles, or our achievements; the distinguishing mark of the divine nature is love. As we continue growing in Christ, our love should become deeper, more patient, more forgiving, more sacrificial, and more compassionate. This is because the life we now possess is the very life of the God who is love. The more Christ is at home in our hearts, the more His love becomes visible through our lives. And when believers walk in that love, they give the world a living demonstration of the divine nature. Hallelujah!
INSTRUCTION: Determine today to express God’s love intentionally. Forgive quickly, speak kindly, serve willingly, and let every interaction reflect the love of Christ.
CONFESSION: Father, thank You for pouring Your love into my heart through the Holy Spirit. Let Christ be fully at home in every area of my life. Root me deeply in Your love and help me to express that love to everyone I meet today, in Jesus’ name, Amen. Glory!
For More Light; get the message, “Now we are in Christ” by Dr. John Linus
QUOTE: The clearest evidence of the divine nature is a life deeply rooted in the love of God and freely expressing that love to others.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 3; EVENING: 1CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 13
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 