Have you ever stayed in someone’s home and felt unwelcome? It is not a place you want to be. If you feel like a burden to someone obligated to host you, how do you think God feels when you treat His Word as something you must accept out of obligation?
How have you received the Word of God in your life? Have you given it the respect it deserves or overlooked it? Does God’s Word feel at home within you, or does it feel unwelcome? Have you embraced it with joy, clearly showing that you value having it reside in your heart?
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” Paul writes in Colossians 3:16.
The word of Christ should “dwell” in us richly. The Greek term “enoikeo,” translated as “dwell,” means “to dwell in and influence someone for good” (New Testament Greek Lexicon). This term is used in the New Testament and in other Greek literature to signify taking permanent residence. Paul implores us to invite and welcome God’s Word into our hearts until it feels so at home that it desires permanent residence within us.
Does the Word hold a significant place in your life? Does it feel at home and welcome in you? Or is the Word of God regarded as an occasional visitor, sometimes welcomed into your life as a guest?
Paul says the Word is to dwell “richly” in us. The word “richly” translates from the Greek word “plousios” and means “richly abundantly” (New Testament Greek Lexicon).
Jesus is the Word who came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). Is the Word dwelling richly within you, influencing you for good, and producing abundant fruit in your life? Thirtyfold? Sixtyfold? Hundredfold? As its truth takes deeper root and grows in your heart, the Word produces more and more of its truth within you. There becomes less of you and more of it. Jesus dwells in you more richly and abundantly. He becomes your identity rather than a lack of knowledge that will destroy your life (Hosea 4:6).
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in wisdom” (Colossians 3:16).
Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with it (Proverbs 8:11). Your spiritual life is built on God’s wisdom, and you are rooted in Christ through understanding. Knowledge of the Word fills your life abundantly with God’s precious and delightful blessings (Proverbs 24:3-4).
The Holy Spirit wants to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Jesus (Ephesians 1:17). However, you must welcome the Word as a permanent resident in your heart.
Are you ready to give the Word permanent residence in your heart? Be renewed by the Word and meditate on it until the Holy Spirit unveils Jesus in your heart. Then, the Word is powerful enough to produce what it promises. You have welcomed Him. The power of the Holy Spirit dwells richly in you. He is in you, and you are in Him.
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Lord Jesus, I cannot thank You enough for Your Word. It transforms me into the new person I became when I was reborn in You. You are life in me. Your Word is life in me. I want You to dwell in me richly. Give me wisdom, Lord. I want to experience the truth and fulfillment of Your Word in my life. I want to see Your Word produce richly in my life. I am honored that You would place such an indescribable gift of grace in me.
Help me appreciate Your Word, value it, and give it the honor it deserves. I want Your Word to know it is welcomed, honored, and deeply loved. Teach me, and live in me, Holy Spirit. I seek the Word dwelling in me more abundantly than ever before.
When Your Word is alive in me, I know You shall do even more abundantly than I think or ask. I only want to witness the miracle of Your Word confirmed in me and through me in the lives of others—forgiveness, healing, deliverance, and a prosperous, abundant, and blessed life. Abide in me, and I will abide in You. I let you, Jesus. Use me. Work through me. You are the One I praise.
In Your Name, I pray.
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