Daily Devotions
Home Improvement
Title: Home Improvement
Reading for December 9: Ephesians 1-3
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father... that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...
Ephesians 3:14, 17
A young couple buys their first home, a "fixer upper." They take care of urgent problems first: replacing the roof, leaky pipes, etc. They proceed to pull down old wallpaper and replace the dingy carpet. They repaint many of the rooms and even reconfigure some rooms by tearing down walls. They overhaul the landscaping.
Over time, an eyesore is transformed into a dream home. There were few things that they liked about the house when they bought it (except the price), but now it is a place they love to show off to family and friends. After years of hard labor, it is finally their home, every last room reflects their style and personality.
This is a picture of us. God bought us when we were worthless (1 Peter 1:18-19; Titus 3:3) and Christ has made us his own (Phil 3:12). He moved into our hearts with a sledge hammer in hand to tear out all that was corrupt and to rebuild us into his own image (Col 3:5-11).
This renovation is a slow gradual process that lasts a lifetime, and the more we are changed, the more Christ makes our hearts his home (Jn 14:23). The more we are transformed into his image, the more we bring honor to God (Eph 3:20-21).
The transformation will not be complete until the resurrection (Phil 3:21), and it is this hope that drives us to dismantle every last part of self so that Christ might take its place (Gal 2:20; 1 Jn 3:1-3).
O Father, we thank you for purchasing us at great cost and for beginning this work on us. We pray you will demolish all selfishness and pride in us, remaking us into the perfect image of your Son.
