Through former CIA spy Edward Snowden’s revelations last year, U.S. citizens found out their
government is secretly watching them more than they knew. Every internet search, view, and purchase (even though in the privacy of our homes), along with every phone conversation, is not only
observed but is apparently being stored in cyberspace. Some might say this is a violation that is nothing short of a “home invasion.”
But if this “home invasion” makes you feel vulnerable, think
about the Spirit’s “holy invasion” [see yesterday’s post] of your heart. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is
naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable”
(Heb. 4:13). How would it change us, I wonder, if we had a
greater revelation of the Holy Spirit’s ownership and occupation of our body
and spirit which are His dwelling place: “Do you not know that your bodies are
temples [homes] of the Holy Spirit who is in you… and that you are not your own?” (1
Cor. 6:19), a “home invasion” that began the instant you gave Jesus the key.
In the last post, when I wrote about the sweetness of being
with family at Christmas, I realized that many people have such dysfunctional
families, there is no “Home Sweet Home.” For them, Christmas can be
one of the loneliest times of year. As I thought about this sad reality, I thought
it oddly contradictory, because the message of Christmas is “Emmanuel—God
with us.”
For the disconnected peoples of earth, this has to be the greatest
Christmas message: Jesus came to indwell us, and we will never be alone again.
And not only have the Father and Son made our hearts their home (John 14:23), we
have been raised up with Christ and are presently seated in the heavenlies with
them (Eph. 2:6). So, not only are we His dwelling place; His is ours. Think about that! We are living
in the fellowship of the whole heavenly realm. When Jesus departed this earth, His last words were,
"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew
28:20). Alone no more.
There's something warm and sweet about the thought of being at home with your loved ones on Christmas. The words “at home” connote comfort, rest, contentment, love, intimacy, and familiarity, all captured in the phrase: “Home Sweet Home.” And the phrase “at home” is even used endearingly of the death of our loved ones who are “at home” with the Lord.
But being “at home” with the Lord is not only the privilege of the departed; it can be a present reality for living saints! The more conscious we are that He dwells within us, the more we shall be “at home” with Him. If anyone loves me... My Father will love him and we will come to him and make
our home with him (Jn 14:23).
Adam and Eve were more “at home” on earth with God than any of us will ever know. But then they sinned, and became homeless in a way we cannot possibly comprehend. Now Jesus has brought us home to our proper dwelling place (Eph. 3:17). Will you be “at home” for the Holidays?
Since 911, America has tried to find its place
in the world, and especially the Mideast. It has become Obama’s chance to establish his place in history, not unlike a
baseball star hoping to win a place in the Hall of Fame. I realize that finding one’s place
in the world is both the hope and bane of human existence. Men and women of
fame and success spend a lot of energy, and their fortunes,
cementing their place among men.
The author of Hebrews speaks, however, of anonymous Hall of Faith-ers who never found a place on earth, going “about in goatskins, destitute (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in
deserts, mountains, caves, and holes in the ground” (He. 11:38). They were homeless. To suggest we follow their example
may seem a bit severe. But didn't Jesus exhibit the same spirit of detachment, “the Son of Man has no place?”
Because we are inclined to attach ourselves to places on earth, God “un-places” us—an often painful uprooting that allows Him to root us in Christ (Col 2:7). Jesus says, “find your place in Me, and My Father
and I will come and make our place in you.” (John 14:23). Is there any other place you'd rather be?
Have you ever saved a place for your friend(s) in a crowded church service and felt uncomfortable because you knew there was a chance they might not show up, and the seats would be empty? But what if it was a concert your friend(s) had paid for? You would have no reservations about holding their places.
While on earth, Jesus never had a place, once telling an aspiring follower, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20). Jesus knew His Father was holding His place in Heaven.
And to His disciples, He promised: “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places, and I'm going to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Ever since, all believers have treasured the truth that He has reserved our place in Heaven. It is prepaid and has our name on it (Eph. 1:20; 2:6; Col. 3:1). And without reservation, I can tell you there will be no empty seats in heaven.
If, and I emphasize “if,” the Lord’s return is near, we are about to enter a time tribulation. The Bible says at the end of the age, no economy on Earth will prosper. Only food (not gold) will retain its value. People will spend a whole day’s wages just for enough to feed themselves (Rev. 6:6). Those who trust in the things of this world for their security will find they have nothing.
The Book of Revelation calls them “Earth Dwellers” (3:10). Earth Dwellers will be judged. The word “dwellers” refers to where one’s heart is—not just one’s physical location. In contrast to believers who are aliens and sojourners upon the earth (1 Pet. 2:11) and whose hope is heavenward (Heb. 11:13-16), these that dwell upon the earth are trusting in man and their environment.
Like much New Testament terminology, “earth dwellers” is also found in the Old Testament, occurring almost 50 times. And every use of “earth dwellers” in the Old Testament appears in a context of judgment, just as it does in the book of Revelation.
I do not know whether or not the times ahead of us are the beginning of the end. But I do know this: we are at a time in history when everyone who says his home, citizenship, and focus is heavenward is about to be tested. As we see the world’s economy falter, it is now— more than ever—a time to “set your mind (and affections) on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
One of our friends sent me an email earlier this week to tell me a dear friend of hers had died that morning. My immediate response was: “he’s AT HOME with the Lord.”
While reading through the Gospel of John yesterday, my attention was drawn to the familiar words:
If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and WE will come to him and make our HOME with him (John 14:23).
I realized that being “at home” with the Lord is a present reality. The words “at home” connote comfort, rest, contentment, love, intimacy, and familiarity. The phrase “Home Sweet Home” comes to mind! The more conscious we are of His internal dwelling presently, the more we will be “at home” with Him.
The original man and woman were “at home” with God in the Garden of Eden. But they sinned against God and became homeless! Through Jesus, God has brought us home to Himself, to His presence, to His love, to His Fellowship. And amazingly, we have become His dwelling place (Eph. 3:17).
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20). Are you “at home” with the Lord?
