God’s Dwelling Place?

Religious Groups, whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu, build churches and temples all over the world as part of their efforts to worship God. Their followers are encouraged to offer prayers and rituals in these places to earn favour… but will they find God there?

The Bible tells us in Acts 17:24, “God that made the world and all things therein… dwelleth not in temples made with hands”. That’s pretty clear. So is God only to be found in heaven? John 14 gives the answer. In verse 2, Jesus said,

“In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.”

You could think this verse is about Jesus making a place for us in heaven. However, the rest of the chapter clarifies it and shows us a fantastic promise. In John 14:23 Jesus said,

“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

The word abode, is the same word translated as mansion in verse 2, meaning dwelling place. And in verses 16 & 17,

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth…”

So then, we can become a dwelling place for God! How does that happen?

When the disciples had their last meeting with Jesus, he told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them. About a week later, it happened. Open your Bible to Acts 2 and read it for yourself — all 120 disciples spoke in tongues as God’s Spirit filled them. All of a sudden, they understood what Jesus had promised them in John 14:20,

“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”

The apostle Peter declared to the crowd that gathered, ”…that which you see and hear is the Holy Spirit”. Many onlookers were challenged by what they saw and heard. Their response was immediate — to repent, be baptised in water for the remission of their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit themselves.

Only when you’ve experienced this yourself, can you know what it’s like. The prayer language that flows out of you is the language of the Spirit. All of a sudden, the things that Jesus said come alive, and a great joy and confidence comes into your life. You’ll never be the person you were, again.
God is dwelling in you and you have become a part of the Father’s living house, called the Church. 1 Peter 2:5 tells us what has happened.

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house…acceptable to God, by Jesus Christ”.

Better than any temple made with bricks and mortar!