11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:11-22
What will your dream home look like? A pool, a nice garden, a high ceiling living room, a lot of marbles, ocean front, or high up in the mountain? Today we are taking a tour of God’s dream home.
None of the things I have mentioned above appears in the Bible verses we are reading today, in describing where God wants to live. It only says, “YOU also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” The focus of God’s dwelling place is “YOU”. He treasures who He lives with more than where He lives.
Not only He wants to live with us, He wants us to be a certain type of persons:
- Sinless person. “Brought near by the blood of Christ.” His blood cleansed our sins and the reason He wanted to cleanse our sins was because He wanted us to be close to Him.
- Peace. Not just the peace within but also peace without. He wants us to love one another and live with one another in peace. There are many barriers and separations between people, God wants all those barriers to come down.
- New man. The peace among people I mentioned above has to be coming from a change of our hearts. His blood not only cleansed our sins but He also changed our hearts.
- A family. The blood shed by Jesus cleansed our sins, changed our hearts so we love each other. It also gives us a new relationship – a family relationship. He wants to dwell with us because He is our Father. Do you experience this relationship? Do you see Him as your Father and each other as brothers and sisters?
Only when men are like these then God can dwell in us delightfully.
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 