Four Signs Of God’s Presence

Introduction

When you move into a house, what do you like to do to ‘make it your own’? It doesn’t take long before there are clear evidences of your residence. You add your favorite things, change other things according to your preference. You might even paint and add carpet. C. S. Lewis speaks about what it looks like for God to move in, not to a house, but a heart: “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” Have you ever considered the changes that God would make in a heart He lives in? What kinds of signs of His residence would you expect? 1 John 4:12-16 gives us four things to look for to see if God is residing in a heart. Are you ready to learn His marks of residence?

Observation

Pray

God tells us that we cannot fully understand Scripture without the Spirit’s help. Ask Him to show you what this passage is saying, and how you should live it today.

Read Focus Verses

Read our passage 1 John 4:12-16 with fresh eyes. What does God say? What does He emphasize?

Theme

Did you notice a particular concept or word that was repeated several times? What is it?

Keyword – Dwelling

By marking each reference to God living in someone or them living in God, you will be able to see the characteristics of a place where God resides.

In Whom Does God Dwell?

Using the house symbol, mark every instance of the word dwelling or living in 1 John 4:12-16.

How Many?

How many identifying marks does God mention in these verses to recognize those in whom He dwells?

If …

What is the first of these identifying marks of God’s residence from verse 12?

His Gift

What is the second mark of God’s residence as described in verse 13?

I Believe

The third mark of God living in a person is found in verse 15. What is it?

God’s Love

What is the fourth mark of a person in whom God dwells as shown in verse 16?

Interpretation

An Unchangeable Reality

Some of the assurances that believers are God’s children are dependent on their obedience, but the one in verse 13 is not. Notice how Romans 8:15-17 expands on the Spirit giving assurance to Christians.

The Spirit’s Assurance

How does the Holy Spirit provide assurance to Christians that they are God’s in Romans 8:15-17?

Savior

Verse 14 emphasized Jesus’ role as Savior. In your own words, describe what that precious word means. You can use a story from your own experience to exemplify your meaning.

Why He Saves

Titus 2:13-14 explains further Jesus’ role as Savior.

To and From

What does Jesus save people from and what does He save them to?

Confessing Christ

Verse 15 in our passage speaks of confessing that Jesus is the Son of God. Compare that with Romans 10:9-13.

Confess

You probably have a vague idea about what it means to confess something, but have you ever looked at the root of the word? It is actually a compound of two words in Greek: homo same, and lego to speak. Literally, to confess something is to say the same thing about it as God does.

Think About It

With that understanding of the word confess, what does it mean that someone must confess the Lord Jesus to be saved?

The Love of God

Verse 16 says that Christians have known and believed the love that God has for us. This hymn, “The Love of God,” helps us meditate on that love. Don’t miss the third verse: Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade. To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.

Abiding in God’s Love

Compare verse 16 with Jesus’ words in John 15:9-11.

The Way to Stay

In John 15, what simple way does Jesus give His people so they can abide in His love?

Application

Has God Moved In?

Take some time and evaluate your heart. Do you see the signs of God making your heart His home? 1. You love other Christians 2. God has given you His Spirit 3. You confess that Jesus is the Son of God 4. You know, believe, and abide in God’s love

God, Here’s My Heart

If you have not given your heart to Him as a home will you do that today by taking the steps in this passage? 1. Understand and believe that God’s love is for all who call upon Him 2. Confess that Jesus is who God says He is – the Savior who promises to save you from your sins if you repent of them and turn to Him in faith 3. God gives His Spirit to all who believe in Jesus Christ for salvation 4. Love others because of God’s love for you

Believing God’s Love

Do you believe that God’s love is for you? How would remembering that truth all the time change your daily life? Take time to thank God for His love for you in Christ.

Wrapup

Closing

We hope that this study has helped you recognize the signs of God living in a Christian’s life.

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