Are You Spiritually Homeless?

Let Christ be your dwelling place.

As the cold, dark rain poured down, the line of drenched, bedraggled homeless men and women moved slowly. Hot coffee and a warm sandwich were at least a small comfort. We feel pity for them, but God’s heart aches for those trapped in homelessness.

One of the unfortunate ones, Elizabeth, knew that there were no easy answers. Tormented emotionally, she fled her family, medication, and home for the brutal independence of the street. At times, she realized she could receive kindness, but often, she literally growled at those who tried to help.

Like Elizabeth, many believers choose independence over living in Christ. Spiritually homeless Christians –– those who accept Jesus but hold onto their independence –– hurt themselves, others, and their Father.

Are you one of them? Sometimes I am. What’s the solution? Look at what Paul tells us:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).

The “IF” in this verse is huge! Every Christian has the critical need to dwell in Christ –– you can’t live in the flesh and in Christ. Believers who choose to live in their flesh are not living like new creations.

You must leave the sin-scarred life behind and embrace the image of Christ He designed you to bear, so the life of Jesus will grow in you. Colossians 3:12–14 describes the beauty of life in Christ. You will:

• Have a heart of compassion
• Do kind acts for others
• Put all others before yourself
• Treat others gently
• Suffer for others without complaint
• Forgive without limit
• Love unselfishly

If you’ve been a Christian for a while, you know that many of us don’t look like that as often as we should. Many believers cling to the old instead of allowing Christ to make them NEW.

It doesn’t have to be that way. It shouldn’t be that way. Jesus paid too high of a price for us to ignore His wide-open arms. So what is it that keeps us living in our flesh instead of living IN CHRIST?

Often, like Elizabeth, we have hurts from the past that drive us away from the Savior. We need to run to Jesus for healing: “‘But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 30:17 NIV).

Fear, guilt, and shame drive God’s precious creations –– you and me –– to flee from Him. But Jesus is the Way back home to a life of safety and significance. How?

Surely he [Jesus] took up our pain and bore our suffering … he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:4–5 NIV).

Everything that tries to block us from living IN CHRIST –– the wrongs done to us and the wrongs we have done — was paid for by Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. His greatest desire is for us to enter into the abundant spiritual life He offers us!

Don’t waste another minute living in your flesh! Jesus is the door to enter His healing and life. All you need to do is take these steps to be transformed:

1. Accept and celebrate Jesus’ work on your behalf.
2. Walk confidently in peace, trusting in God’s love.
3. Encourage others along the way to do the same!

Has living IN CHRIST changed your life? Write to mystory@inspiration.org, call +1 (803) 578-1802, or visit our website, inspiration.org/my-story to share your story.

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