Ephesians: Unveiling Our Mysterious RealitySample

Christ in Us

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul claims that, as Christians, we are dwelling right now in two realms: our physical day-to day reality and in a spiritual realm in which we dwell “in Christ”. 

Paul likens the contrast between dwelling “in Christ” and the world to the difference between life and death. When we follow the ways of the world, Paul says we are dead in our transgressions and sins, but because of his great love for us, God made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions. As human beings we have to live our mortal lives in the material world—a world where the only possible biological outcome is death. However, as Christians, we also exist in what Paul calls the heavenly or spiritual realm where we participate not only in the death but also the resurrection of Jesus. And this relationship with Christ is so profound that not only do we dwell in him, but he also lives in us!

In Ephesians chapter 3, Paul prays that God may strengthen us with power through his Spirit in our inner being so that Christ may dwell in our heart. Before Jesus died, he told his disciples he would send a counsellor, his Spirit, and that on that day they would realize that “I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” What Jesus is describing isn’t just a fleeting experience of his presence, but an amazing reciprocal indwelling made possible by the Holy Spirit. We dwell “in Christ” but he also dwells in us.

Through the work of the Spirit, Jesus Christ himself takes up residence in our hearts. And in one of the most beautiful prayers ever written, Paul prays that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge. When Christ dwells in our hearts, we are rooted and established in love. And that love dwells in us.

Reflect: What does it mean to you that Christ dwells in you?