How To Have A Taste Of Heaven On Earth

The meaning of this word packs so much firepower. When Alfred Nobel invented a very strong explosive that is safe to detonate, he took “dunamis” and came up with the word “dynamite.” But, based on The Message paraphrase, the power of the Spirit available for us is “not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength” (The Message). This power, according to verse 20, is “his power that is at work within us”.

Because of this power, God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” in and through us. This same power actually is the power behind Christ’s resurrection. According to Ephesians 1:19-20, “I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven.” (CEV ) And this power will never run out. It says here that God empowers us “out of his glorious riches” (v. 16). The word “riches” denotes “abundance,” that is, “his grace was inexhaustible and ample for all their needs.”

Dr. Rick Warren wrote that this resurrection power “is available to you right now to transform the weaknesses in your life into strengths. The Bible describes resurrection power as the power to cancel your past, the power to conquer your problems, and the power to change your personality.”

Second, to have a taste of heaven on earth, we must EXPERIENCE THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST. Paul also prayed “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (v. 17). You may be asking, “I thought that Christ already dwells in me when I received Him as my Savior? How come Paul asked that Christ may dwell in our hearts?”

The Greek word for “dwell” means “a permanent as opposed to a temporary abode.” That’s why it is translated this way in the Good News Bible: “I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith.” Yes, Christ is already in your heart when you trusted in Him. However, the question now is, “Is Christ at home in your heart?

There are three kinds of people in this world. First, according to 1st Corinthians 2:14, there is “the man without the Spirit” or “the natural man” (NKJV ).

According to a diagram from the Campus Crusade for Christ, this man is on the throne of his heart and Christ is outside his life.

In other words, the natural man has not accepted Jesus. He is an unbeliever. Notice that his life is in disarray or has no purpose.

Second, according to 1st Corinthians 2:15, there is “the spiritual man”. He has accepted Christ in his life. He is a believer. Notice that this person is living a life of purpose because the Lord is seating on the throne of this person’s heart.

Third, according to 1st Corinthians 3:1, there is a “carnal” man (NKJV). Sad to say, this person is a believer. Paul calls this person “brethren”. But he is “still worldly… [He is] acting like mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:3) He is a believer who lives a disobedient life.

Which state are you in right now? Are you a natural, a spiritual or a carnal man? Christ makes His home in the heart of the spiritual man. If you think you are a natural man, accept Him. If you are a carnal man, repent of your sins and set your relationship right with Him.