May 21

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. — John 14:23 BSB

The Bible has always held out two great promises concerning Christ: "I will come to you," and "I will come into you." For four thousand years, the world looked forward to the fulfillment of the first. The second is the secret Paul describes as being hidden for ages but now revealed to His saints: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This revelation is just as profound as the incarnation of Jesus because it makes us like Christ—free from sin, as He is. When Christ is in you, what happens? He takes your place entirely. The "I" in you disappears. You say, "Not I, but Christ." Christ fights your battles, becomes your purity, grace, and strength. You don’t strive to attain these things; you rest in the knowledge that you already have them in Him. It is glorious rest with the Master. Jesus doesn’t say, "We must produce fruit, we must pray more, we must do this or that." No, the only necessity is to abide in Him. That is the center of all joy and help.