Among the phrases Christians toss around as if they make complete sense, is the notion that you "accept Jesus into your heart" and thereby receive the gift of salvation. Over the past year or so, I've been struggling with this idea, as this language is found nowhere in Scripture (though ideas behind this idea are) and can overly personalize the gospel. The gospel is the greatest news this world has and will ever see: that God in flesh, came as Christ, dying for our sins and rising from the dead so that we, too, one day will do the same and glorify Him forever. On the one hand, this is personal as Christ took on flesh to become like us and die for us. But in addition to subjectively moving us, this gospel is objective: it is the greatest event in human history. Ever. In discussing the Holy Spirit, I think this quote provided me with some much-needed illumination:
"The first thing the [Heidelberg] Catechism notes here is that the Holy Spirit "has been given to me personally." The Holy Spirit is not simply an omnipresent being who is with us in the sense that He is everywhere and so wherever we go there He will be also. The Spirit lives within us (1 Cor. 6:19) and makes His dwelling in our hearts (2 Cor. 1:22, Gal. 4:6). We have fellowship with Him (2 Cor. 13:14). This physical imagery should not be understood spatially as if the Spirit gets His mail delivered in the upper left chamber of that beating muscle in the chest. Rather, the Spirit dwells in us by animating our personality, shaping our character, renewing our mind, and stirring our emotions. His presence is not a physical residence as much as an experienced reality."
-KDY, The Good News We Almost Forgot
A loaded quote, especially the last two sentences. But I hope if grants you joy as you reflect on the amazingness of the Holy Spirit working within you!
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