Key Truth: God is not simply someone we worship from a distance. Through the Holy Spirit, God dwells within those who belong to Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) — “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”

1. SALVATION — Has God Moved In?

Sometimes we think of salvation primarily as having our sins forgiven so that someday we can go to heaven. That is wonderfully true—but salvation is also about God giving us new life right now.

Sin separated humanity from God, the source of spiritual life. Jesus didn't simply come to make bad people behave better. He came to make spiritually dead people alive.

Ephesians 2:4–5 (NIV) — “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

When we receive Christ, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) — “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

Christianity isn't simply believing things about God. It is entering a relationship with God in which His Spirit lives within us.

QUESTION 1:

How would understanding salvation as “God moving in” change the way you think about being a Christian?

2. SPIRITUALITY — Am I Aware That God Is With Me?

If God's Spirit lives in us, we don't have to come to church to somehow “get into God's presence.”

We bring God's presence with us.

That means there doesn't have to be a dividing line between our “spiritual life” and our “regular life.”

Church, prayer and Bible reading matter—but so do work, school, driving, shopping, eating dinner, mowing the lawn and talking with our families.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV) — “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Practicing the presence of God means learning to remind ourselves throughout the day:

“Lord, You are here.”

When you're frustrated—God is there.

When you're tempted—God is there.

When you're afraid—God is there.

When you're making a decision—God is there.

When you're celebrating—God is there.

Spiritual maturity isn't learning how to act spiritual for an hour on Sunday. It's becoming increasingly aware of God's presence throughout the rest of the week.

QUESTION 2:

What part of your everyday life do you most often forget that God is present in? How might remembering His presence change it?

3. SECURITY — Do I Believe God Is Still With Me When I Fail?

One of the greatest questions Christians wrestle with is:

“What happens when I mess up?”

Jesus made an incredible promise concerning the Holy Spirit:

John 14:16 (NIV) — “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.”

Notice that last word: forever.

That doesn't mean sin doesn't matter. God loves us too much to ignore the things that damage us and our relationship with Him. He convicts, corrects, disciplines and cleans.

1 John 1:9 (NIV) — “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Our failures should not cause us to hide from God. They should cause us to run toward Him.

Romans 8:38–39 (NIV) — Nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Our confidence isn't ultimately in our ability to hold onto God.

Our confidence is in God's ability to hold onto us.

QUESTION 3:

When you fail, is your first instinct to run from God or toward Him? What would it look like to trust His grace instead of hiding from Him?

4. SERVICE — Am I Working For God or Letting God Work Through Me?

If Christ lives in us, Christian service isn't simply about doing more things for God.

It is allowing God to work through us.

Galatians 2:20 (NIV) — “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Instead of simply saying:

“I need to try harder.”

We can begin praying:

When I need patience:
“Jesus, Your patience through me.”

When someone is difficult to love:
“Jesus, Your love through me.”

When I don't know what to do:
“Jesus, Your wisdom through me.”

When I'm afraid:
“Jesus, Your courage through me.”

When I'm exhausted:
“Jesus, Your strength through me.”

Philippians 4:13 (NIV) — “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

The Christian life isn't primarily about trying harder.

It's about surrendering deeper.

QUESTION 4:

Where are you currently trying to live the Christian life in your own strength instead of allowing Christ to work through you?

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

Begin each morning with this simple prayer:

“Holy Spirit, make me aware of Your presence today. Live Your life through me.”

Then throughout the day, intentionally stop and remind yourself:

“I am God's temple. God is here.”

Because if God's Spirit lives within us:

Every day is a holy day.
Every place is a sacred place.
Every moment is an opportunity for Christ to live His life through us.