Christianity is more than the fact that Jesus once lived on earth or that he now lives in heaven. Christianity is Jesus living in you by his Holy Spirit. Christianity is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

Through the Spirit, Jesus' life lives in you. Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing" (John 6:63). On your own, you are spiritually dead. But the Spirit gives you Jesus' life.

Through the Spirit, Jesus' truth lives in you. "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things," said Jesus. "When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth... taking what is mine and making it known to you" (John 14:26; 16:13-14). In the Spirit and through Scripture, "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Through the Spirit, Jesus' love lives in you. "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:5) so that we may "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and know this love that surpasses knowledge--that [we] may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:18-19).

Without the Spirit of Christ living in you, you don't belong to Christ; you're not a Christian at all (Romans 8:9). But if you have the Holy Spirit, you can say, "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).

PRAYER--Father, fill me with the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, make my heart your home. May I live your life, think your thoughts, and know your love that surpasses knowledge. Amen.