Daily Devotions
A Spiritual Eviction
Title: A Spiritual Eviction
Reading for September 4: Ezekiel 31-32
Weekly reading for September 2-8: Galatians 1-6
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
Galatians 2:20
The Christian life is like a home renovation.
- We are a run down home in disrepair that is bought by God (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-20).
- Christ then takes up residence in our hearts and begins the work of renovating us in his image (Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:5-11).
There is, however, an important area where this analogy breaks down. When a home is purchased, the previous owners move out before the new owners move in. Does that happen with us when Christ resides in our hearts? Do we not still exercise some measure of control?
Imagine the difficulty of moving into a place and the old owners are still there. Before you can make any changes, you must first get permission from the old owner. You've bought the house and you hold the title, but the old owner still says what can and cannot be done.
We would never agree to buy a house under those conditions. When we buy a home we demand that the previous owners move out.
Why would we think Jesus would be any different? When Jesus dwells in our hearts he demands there be a spiritual eviction. We must relinquish control and allow him the freedom to change anything he wants.
Father God, we turn over the keys to you. We welcome you to dwell in and take control of our hearts.
