How should God's promise to dwell with us influence our daily decisions? The Promise: God Dwells with Us 2 Corinthians 6:16: “What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.’” • Four certainty-statements shape every decision: – “I will live with them.” – “I will walk among them.” – “I will be their God.” – “They will be My people.” • The same words echo through Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekiel 37:27; Revelation 21:3, underscoring God’s unchanging intent. Living as His Temple • 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us that our bodies are “a temple of the Holy Spirit.” • His indwelling means daily separateness from idols—anything that competes with His rightful place (1 John 5:21). • Holiness is not optional; it is identity-driven. Because He lives in us, we live for Him (Romans 12:1-2). How the Promise Steers Everyday Choices • Relationships: Choose companions and partnerships that honor His presence (2 Corinthians 6:14). • Speech: Words become a sanctuary or a stumbling block (Ephesians 4:29). • Media & Entertainment: Ask, “Would I invite Christ to watch or listen with me?” (Psalm 101:3). • Time: Schedule around fellowship with Him, not vice versa (Matthew 6:33). • Money: Spend and give as people whose true treasure is with God (Matthew 6:19-21). • Integrity: His nearness calls for consistency in public and private (Proverbs 10:9). Practical Habits That Reflect His Indwelling 1. Begin each morning acknowledging His presence (Psalm 5:3). 2. Keep short accounts—confess quickly when conviction comes (1 John 1:9). 3. Invite Him into every task with thankful dependence (Colossians 3:17). 4. Resist compromise promptly; lingering leads to idolatry (James 4:7-8). 5. Cultivate fellowship with other “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 10:24-25). 6. Serve others as the hands and feet of the God who walks among us (Galatians 5:13). Further Encouragement from Scripture • John 14:23 — Father and Son “will come to him and make Our home with him.” • Galatians 5:16 — “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Hebrews 13:5 — “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” • Matthew 28:20 — “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Key Takeaways • God’s dwelling is not distant; it is personal, present, and permanent. • Every decision is made in the light of His nearness—nothing is secular for the believer. • Living as His temple means rejecting all rival claims, pursuing holiness, and displaying His character to the world. • The promise that He “lives with” and “walks among” us turns ordinary choices into sacred opportunities to honor our ever-present God. |
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