Two short lessons from Psalm 26:8 this morning.

O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house And the place where Your glory dwells. – Psalm 26:8 NASB

Lesson one: I love to dwell in You, Lord. I love living in You. I love dwelling–abiding–in Christ.

Simple and to the point.

Lesson two: However, what (who) is Your habitaion? 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:19-22 NASB

You, my brother, my sister, are the habitation of God.

“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; – John 17:22 NASB

The place where “Your glory dwells” is in my brothers and my sisters. And it was placed there, so we might be unified in You.

There are only two commandments Jesus required of us. Love God, and love one another. On these two hang all the Word of God, all the commandments of God are fulfilled in these two things.

Since the law is so monolithic (Love) if we break with love, we break the law in its entirety.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. – James 2:10 NASB

We MUST NOT give ourselves permission to break with love, ever. Whether we have been hurt or mistreated, ignored, or abused, we must hold to love. I don’t say we give the transgressor a pass. I don’t say we allow abuse to continue. 

But we must love.

We cannot justify our hate or unforgiveness based on the actions of the offender.

Finally – a critical point – 

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. – Galatians 5:6 NASB

Faith works through love. Without love, or to the point, with unforgiveness and offense, faith can’t work. You can not believe God for healing. You can’t believe God for protection. You can’t believe God for favor, as long as you are unwilling to walk in love. 

Jesus said it that plainly – 

“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. – Matthew 6:15 NASB

Love is the kingdom lubricant. It keeps everything working and moving. (OK – Love is way more than just that, but I want you to get this image.) An engine with no grease or oil will almost immediately grind to a halt–seize up–and is no longer able to do anything but look like an engine.

So it is for Christians without love. Faith grinds to a halt and with it any pleasure God has in us – without faith, it is impossible to please God. We become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. We may look like Christians, but we are no longer able to do anything of any Kingdom relevance. 

So be vigilant to keep your love on, no matter the circumstances.

Love you,

See you again soon,

Ben