WHERE DOES THE LORD FEEL AT HOME? It is clearly visible to anyone studying the Word of the Lord, that the whole of the Godhead feel welcomed in the life of those who meet certain divine requirements. Love is shown to be the key factor accompanied by obedience. Certainly obedience and love work arm in arm. Where there is one, the other is bound to be present. Thus, the door is flung wide open for the Father and the Son to reciprocate with a love that is absolute and eternal. With the full intent and end of making their home in the Spiritual life of that individual. John 14:23 What a notable privilege. How can the implications of such a status be explained? Who can know the depths of it until it has been experience? The promise has been made assuring that there will be a people in whom the fullness of the Lord will dwell.
THE ASSURED PRESENCE OF THE LORD DEPENDS ON LOVE. Not our love for Him, which is of course very necessary. Our love for Him will not go beyond the measure of our love for one another. To start with, it is a commandment, therefore involves obedience. It is an order given by the Captain of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ. John 13:34 The measure of that love is to be compared with the love of the Lord Jesus. Even in going so far as to laying down His life for His friends. John 15:12-14 This agape love, love such as the Lord loves is made available to all who will receive it. Note the progression; souls which have been purified. Where there is a clean heart and life there is room for His love to be made manifest. Obedience to the truth of the Word is also part of the process of obtaining that great and marvelous love. Then there is the requirement of sincere love of the brethren. Love without hypocrisy, not practiced of feigned, but sincere and with all honesty. Not a situation where we simply tolerate someone because it is polite to do so. Instead, loving the unlovely from a pure heart, fervently. What challenges we face as we seek the Lord that we might be all that He has called us to be. 1 Peter 1:22
LOVE IS OF GOD FOR GOD IS LOVE. The New Birth is a spiritual birth into the great love of the Lord. His nature is implanted and birthed within us. EVERYONE who is born of the Lord will manifest that love. Where His love is displayed there is evidence which verifies that the individual is indeed one who knows their God. 1 John 4:7 His being, His Spirit dwelling within us will teach us to walk and live the way of His love. 1 Thess. 4:9 Repeatedly the Word of the Lord is found exhorting us to have compassion and love for those of like faith. In so doing we fulfill the Law. Rom. 13:8 The challenge set before us is staggering. There must be drastic changes of attitude one toward another. Only then can the church measure up to the requirements which the Lord has established. We must go so far as to even love our enemies. Then and only then can we be assured that His love is reigning within. Matt. 5:44