Among the many wonderful mysteries of Christ and the Gospel (I Corinthians 4:1), two are under consideration in this study: 1) The Holy Spirit indwells the believer; 2) The Holy Spirit indwells all believers. That the Spirit of the Triune God would make a home within an individual is truly amazing (John 14:23; Romans 8:9,15; Ephesians 1:12-14). That we share this experience with others and together, having a unique presence of God working in us and through us together is also amazing (John 17:20-23; Ephesians 2:4-6,18-22; Matthew 18:20; 28:18-20). These amazing relationships with The Holy Spirit show us great privileges and also great responsibilities.

Christ in Me – John 14:15-23 In a relationship of love and trust (John 14:15 cp. 1-6) provision is made for us to have the companionship, guidance and nurture of the Lord. This provision is the indwelling of God’s Spirit. It is internal and eternal. No one or nothing shall separate us from this relationship (John 14:16-20 cp. Romans 8:26-39). We have a responsibility to cooperate with these “living arrangements” by being attentive to the Word of Christ and to strive to be in harmony with the will of God (John 14:21-23 cp. Galatians 5:16-26).

Christ in Us – John 15:1-8 This relationship of love and trust starts as an individual experience, but it is not an isolated experience. Jesus next takes us to a picture of a vine with many branches. All branches are connected to the vine. This also puts them in close proximity to each other. The vine [Christ] feeds the branches [the believer] and makes them fruitful. The responsibility to be fruitful is fulfilled when we abide in Christ and let His Word abide in us (John 15:5,7).

Let’s look at the subject of “Us” a little more. In Ephesians 2:1 we are made alive by God’s Spirit and delivered from the spiritual deadness of a sinful life. In Ephesians 2:4-6 we were made alive “together” and given heavenly status and privileges “together.” This leads Paul to seeing himself as Christ’s prisoner and servant for the purpose of serving other believers (Ephesians 3:1-2). Paul prayed that we would be inwardly strengthened by our mutually seeking to comprehend Christ’s love. This would fill us with the fullness of God and bring glory to God in and through the church (Ephesians 3:14-21). Paul showed us our responsibility to strive for unity and cooperation with each other (Ephesians 4:1- 6). He also showed us that Christ is supplying spiritual gifts among us that will build us all up as we minister to each other in love (Ephesians 4:8,11-16). We must not grieve God’s Spirit by negative attitudes and behavior toward each other. We must walk and work together in the spirit of Christ’s love (Ephesians 4:21-5:2). This is also taught in Romans 15:1-7.

These truths need to become a reality in our lives that will create a testimony to the rest of the world (John 13:34-35). Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found…” Also seek fellowship with the Lord’s people while they may be found.