April 1, 2005
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
--2 Corinthians 5:17
Do you have any secret closets in your heart? These could be pet sins or private thoughts that you reserve for yourself, or an area of disobedience. Jesus can’t make Himself at home in your heart until you give up the hiding place of those secret sins.
Somehow people today have the idea that becoming a follower of Jesus means simply adding Him to the list of their other activities and interests. But the answer to the question, “If I give Christ control of my heart, is He going to change things?” is absolutely…but always for the better!
My friend, fellow pastor, and conference speaker Greg Laurie has a great way of illustrating this truth. He says that when Jesus Christ comes into your life, He starts tearing up that old shag carpet you’ve had since the 1960s, then throws out your old lava lamp and your beat-up furniture. You say, “Lord, You’ve taken away all the things I’ve collected over the years! What am I going to do now?”
But about that time a big moving van pulls up outside. On the van is the name “Father and Son Moving Company.” In walk two holy angels with brand-new carpet, new paint for the walls, and beautiful new furniture. Everything is laid out exquisitely. It’s another way of saying that, when Jesus Christ takes control of a life, “Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
When Christ moves in, he invades the rooms in your heart: the library which holds your innermost thoughts, the dining room where you fill your desires and appetite, the living room where you can come to meet Jesus every day, the workshop where you will learn how to serve Him more, and even the upstairs closet filled with the dead, foul-smelling mistakes and sins you keep hidden.
As a Christian, you must realize the when Christ moves in, he is no longer to be a guest in your home but rather Lord. You are to switch roles with him, becoming the servant yourself and allowing Christ to reign supremely as the Master. Decide today that you are going to give Jesus full access to every room in your heart—even the ones you are ashamed of.
JESUS CHRIST CANNOT BE COMPLETELY AT HOME IN YOUR HEART
UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO GIVE HIM THE KEYS TO YOUR HIDDEN CLOSETS.