Journal Entry // April 27, 2021
Jesus answered him, “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.
John 14:23 ESV
Obedience is the natural outward inclination of a renewed and loving heart turned toward the Lord. If I truly love the Lord, then I will readily find obedience expressing itself in humble reliance upon the one I love. And the one I love, he will come and make their home with me. The Father, Son, and Spirit will make my heart his home and dwelling place.
How can I know that the Father dwells within me? There will be a continual desire and progression toward obedience. I will increasingly feel my heart yearning to meditate on his word. His revealed word is the only source of rightly communicating with God. It is through the Bible that we encounter and engage with the Lord as we read through his perfect revealed character. It is through the life of Jesus that we see the fullness of God manifest in this world.
Meditation without the word of Christ can lead me astray. We need the word of God to speak into our lives to bring change and renewal. This is why my daily bible reflections are important. Not only does this reflection engage me with the Spirit within my heart, but it informs me of both my need for change/renewal and praise/thanksgiving. The continual need to put off and put on.
It is these reflections that force me to deal with the darkness within. To not let even the smallest remnant of rebellion take root. It is a difficult task to stay vigilant. To be vigilant with sin in my heart and encouraging joy in the Lord. I need both sides of this.
My God has made his home with me. He lives in relationship with me. We live life together. This is my foundation for today.