A SAFE DWELLING PLACE

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Here is a divine requisite which produces assurance and comfort for those who will do His will. Keeping His commandments are the key to the continuous dwelling of the Lord within the life of any and all who would really follow Christ. His will is that we become His tabernacle and that He may be welcomed with an open heart as one who will abide forever. 1 John 3:24 Our guarantee of His perpetual abiding presence is evidenced in us through the gift of His Spirit which He has so graciously bestowed upon us.

A deep rooted love for Him, a love that exceeds all other love, will cause one, not only to know His commandments, but to live His commandments. His commandments are not complicated but simple. The first is to have a love for the Lord which is whole hearted, with the whole soul and with all the mind. Mt. 22:37 If He has blessed us with His salvation it is easy, in deep, full hearted appreciation, to return the love which He has so freely and abundantly bestowed upon us. His nature and being is love, that alone should cause us to respond in like manner to Him. 1 John 4:16 Love for Him is the first commandment. Jesus said that the second is likened unto the first. Simply, because we cannot say we love God while hating our neighbor. Mt. 22:39 The Lord will not dwell where there is contention and strife for He is love and will create His kind of love wherever He dwells.

The royal, Divine presence of the Lord is maintained by the truth of the Word. This Christian walk, is a walk of faith and love, that is ever being tested by the elements of this world which war against our soul. However, with sound words, the living Word of the Lord, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. His Word is the strength, the backbone of a life which is filled with faith and the love of Christ. 2 Tim. 1:13 The motivating power of faith is love. Faith works by love, that is, it is inspired by love. Gal. 5:6 Love creates confidence and removes all fear from the heart. At the same time bringing one to a position of perfected love. The very essence of that love, is His love, dwelling within His holy tabernacle, the church of the Lord Jesus and providing the sweet perfume of His holiness and His righteousness. The Word, faith and love all build confidence in a positive knowledge, that the Lord is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. The entire functioning of the promises of the Word are assured the believer by the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is resident within. The Word is the result of the inspiration of the Spirit. In order to maintain the full effect of the Word, faith and love, it is vital that the Holy Spirit is made welcome and continues to dwell within. 2 Tim. 1:14.

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