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2 Corinthians 13:5-6
In 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 the Apostle Paul gives the congregation of the church at Corinth a heart-check to see if they are even aware that Christ Jesus, in their Christianity, lives within their hearts. The Bible teaches us in John 14:15-18 (NKJV) as Jesus states, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” Paul then follows this statement up with a statement of disqualification meaning that if Jesus does not live within their hearts, then they are not at all a Christian, as are the false apostles that have been leading them in the direction of questioning the authority of Paul and his ministry team.
This is a promise of Jesus living within us through His Holy Spirit sent to live within the hearts of everyone who believes in Him.
A very important part of the statement that Jesus made in John 14:15-18 is found in the ending of the statement in John 14:18 as He declares, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” The coming of God’s Holy Spirit to live within our hearts did not take place until after Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and then ascended to heaven (Acts 2). But Jesus made the promise that He would not leave us orphans; meaning that He would not leave us without His presence being in our lives. He does this by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit into our hearts. This is the sealing of our lives to God in salvation through Christ Jesus. This is the qualifying factor of being a Christian. If you do not have Jesus living in your heart, then the Apostle Paul says that you are disqualified. Open your heart to receive Jesus today and be qualified – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
You have promised Your Holy Spirit to live within the hearts of all who will believe in You in accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Please let this realization set in for all who read these words and lead us to true salvation – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.