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The Indwelling Life of Christ: All of Him in All of Me
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” —Colossians 1:27
Why do we keep failing even in our best efforts to live the Christian life? Because no one other than Jesus Christ can live it, for the simple reason that He is the Christian life! And only He can live it in our lives as well. Major W. Ian Thomas takes a refreshing look at the pure thrill of living victoriously as you embrace the living Savior’s presence within you. The more you become genuinely and relentlessly available to Christ, the more He can take over so that your Christian walk becomes vibrant and effective! This inspiring devotional, along with the application questions at the end of each reading, will help you focus consistently on Jesus Himself so you can serve and enjoy Him at an entirely new level and dimension.
You can try to steer clear of sin. Avoid temptation. Refuse to steal, lie, or use drugs and alcohol. You can indeed try to be sinless. But that is still you . And you are still trying.
Jesus Christ was not holy because He focused His efforts on avoiding sin. Instead, “He refused to allow there to be any possible explanation for the quality of His life but the Father, as God, dwelling in Him, as Man,” writes Major W. Ian Thomas.
So whom do you want dwelling in you? More of you? Or all of Christ?
Story Behind the Book
Major W. Ian Thomas was twelve years old when he accepted the Lord with a simple prayer. But by nineteen, “I had been reduced to spiritual exhaustion,” he says, “with no hope or reason for going on.” It was then that he discovered the life-transforming secret of the indwelling life of the living Lord Jesus Christ. God gave him a message through Galatians 2:20, where he learned to say, “Lord Jesus, I can’t—You never said I could—but You can, and always said You would. That is all I need to know.” Major Thomas came to understand it was Christ Himself living through him who would do His work. This is the message he has been passionately proclaiming all his life.
Why do we keep failing even in our best efforts to live the Christian life? Because no one other than Jesus Christ can live it, for the simple reason that He is the Christian life! And only He can live it in our lives as well. Major W. Ian Thomas takes a refreshing look at the pure thrill of living victoriously as you embrace the living Savior’s presence within you. The more you become genuinely and relentlessly available to Christ, the more He can take over so that your Christian walk becomes vibrant and effective! This inspiring devotional, along with the application questions at the end of each reading, will help you focus consistently on Jesus Himself so you can serve and enjoy Him at an entirely new level and dimension.
You can try to steer clear of sin. Avoid temptation. Refuse to steal, lie, or use drugs and alcohol. You can indeed try to be sinless. But that is still you . And you are still trying.
Jesus Christ was not holy because He focused His efforts on avoiding sin. Instead, “He refused to allow there to be any possible explanation for the quality of His life but the Father, as God, dwelling in Him, as Man,” writes Major W. Ian Thomas.
So whom do you want dwelling in you? More of you? Or all of Christ?
Story Behind the Book
Major W. Ian Thomas was twelve years old when he accepted the Lord with a simple prayer. But by nineteen, “I had been reduced to spiritual exhaustion,” he says, “with no hope or reason for going on.” It was then that he discovered the life-transforming secret of the indwelling life of the living Lord Jesus Christ. God gave him a message through Galatians 2:20, where he learned to say, “Lord Jesus, I can’t—You never said I could—but You can, and always said You would. That is all I need to know.” Major Thomas came to understand it was Christ Himself living through him who would do His work. This is the message he has been passionately proclaiming all his life.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 16, 2006
155 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 31, 2020
This book continues to build on the foundational and scriptural truths found in The Saving Life of Christ, each of which have been instrumental in my personal journey of faith and discovering new life in Christ. It is a book that needs to be read one or two chapters at a time to allow for necessary contemplation, but one that is encouraging and hopeful in its emphasis on truly living a victorious Christian life.
June 5, 2020
This book was a 50 day devotional talking about what it means for Christ to be living IN US! It helped me see the ways that I can better appropriate this life that I have been called to in some practical ways. A great supplement to my quiet time!
October 30, 2017
"The Indwelling Life of Christ" is a series of 50 short essays, or, one might say, devotionals -- W. Ian Thomas urged that the reader read no more than one a day and take some time to ponder it. I read one or two a week, but I can't honestly say I did a whole lot of pondering.
My favorite line in the book is the first, which begins the introduction:
To be entirely honest, I know of nothing quite so boring as Christianity without Christ.
Quite true, in my opinion. It's Christ-less Christianity that turns so many people off. The real thing is quite another matter. As C.S. Lewis put it, "How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing ... it is irresistible. If even ten percent of the world's population had it, would not the whole world be converted and happy before the year's end?"
Thomas waits until the last words of his 50th essay to offer the counterpoint to his opening comment about Christianity without Christ:
When you and I, in the discharge of our responsibility, share Jesus with others, we can have the hilarious expectation that something of tireless worth is happening, whether we fully see it or not.
It makes the Christian life so incredibly exciting!
My favorite line in the book is the first, which begins the introduction:
To be entirely honest, I know of nothing quite so boring as Christianity without Christ.
Quite true, in my opinion. It's Christ-less Christianity that turns so many people off. The real thing is quite another matter. As C.S. Lewis put it, "How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing ... it is irresistible. If even ten percent of the world's population had it, would not the whole world be converted and happy before the year's end?"
Thomas waits until the last words of his 50th essay to offer the counterpoint to his opening comment about Christianity without Christ:
When you and I, in the discharge of our responsibility, share Jesus with others, we can have the hilarious expectation that something of tireless worth is happening, whether we fully see it or not.
It makes the Christian life so incredibly exciting!
January 4, 2013
A winsome, concise guide to living out the reality of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). In fifty brief, bite-sized chapters Major W. Ian Thomas guides the reader into the essence of the Christian life. Do as he says and read one chapter a day, slowly, contemplatively savoring each morsel. I have already purchased and given out three copies to people dear to me, am passing my copy on to another, and have others I'm hoping to get copies for.
October 10, 2013
Great book with challenging insight and perspective on what it means to live a life focused on what God wants you to do, not what you want to do. Very helpful for daily devotionals, or just spend a week on one of the small chapters. Questions are made to get you thinking, and for accountability purposes. The four stars (and not five) because I wanted more theological discussion about some of the topics. Maybe I'm just being picky?!?!
April 7, 2015
Starts out pretty well - touches on dependency on the Spirit, but the language is fairly out-dated and it turns into a little too much of a to-do list.
Want to read
December 3, 2014Recommended by Emily P Freeman
September 24, 2018
I first Learned of this book from reading Dr. Adrian Roger’s biography. Dr. Rodgers made the statement that this book changed his life and his thinking concerning living the Christian life. I don’t know why this book isn’t advertised as a devotional book, that’s exactly what it is. It has 50 short chapters, each one ending with scripture verses and a couple of review questions. The central message in this book is Christ living and working in and through us as opposed to trying to live for Christ in our own power. This is a really good book, especially as a devotional, reading one chapter a day.
January 8, 2022
Christ lives not only in us but through us!
This is one of the most basic but profound books I’ve read. It’s beautifully written in short chapters (2-3 pages) ending with 2-3 questions after each chapter to help you digest what you’ve read. It puts meat on the bones of Christianese. While we do live by faith, Thomas does a great job of helping the reader visualize Spiritual living and what that means practically speaking. This could easily be a devotional. I see me repeatedly reading this book as refreshment and to see growth as I re-answer the questions.
This is one of the most basic but profound books I’ve read. It’s beautifully written in short chapters (2-3 pages) ending with 2-3 questions after each chapter to help you digest what you’ve read. It puts meat on the bones of Christianese. While we do live by faith, Thomas does a great job of helping the reader visualize Spiritual living and what that means practically speaking. This could easily be a devotional. I see me repeatedly reading this book as refreshment and to see growth as I re-answer the questions.
July 11, 2020
I attended a Torchbearers school 4 years ago (bible colleges across the world, founded by Ian Thomas), and it totally changed my life. Recently I’ve felt as if my faith were stagnating a bit, going back to this book and taking in the spirit-filled words of Ian Thomas was like a breath of fresh air for my spirit, I feel absolutely rejuvenated. Cant recommend this enough.
September 5, 2023
Great daily night-time or morning read for guiding your thoughts and actions to reflect Christ. This book is broken into fifty very short chapters with simple, Biblically based messages designed to help us live Christian lives by embracing the Holy Spirit, rather than just willing ourselves into being more Christ-like. I highly recommend this book.
October 17, 2019
It is so simple, but so true
This book is so simple to understand, but your Eternal destiny depends on this information!! You will wish that you would have known this truth a long time ago !
This book is so simple to understand, but your Eternal destiny depends on this information!! You will wish that you would have known this truth a long time ago !
August 9, 2021
A great book packed full of insights! It is separated into about 50 little readings with my questions at the end of each that will make you think through what you read. Lots of great stuff to sit and ponder while also digging into the truths in scripture.
August 15, 2024
This is a great little devotion book that focuses on the transforming power of the indwelling Christ of the Christ-follower. It pacts a punch, is biblically focused, and challenges the reader to live out the Christ-filled life.
December 19, 2019
Probably one of the best books ever written about the reality of Christian living.
July 29, 2020
A book I keep at hand to offer insight and read from often.
September 16, 2020
Powerfully and simply written
This book is for those want to grow in their understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray as you read and respond in faith.
This book is for those want to grow in their understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray as you read and respond in faith.
February 16, 2021
Very powerful and insightful
I think most Christians will gain a good understanding of the role theHoly Spirit plays in the moment by moment life of a mature believer.
I think most Christians will gain a good understanding of the role theHoly Spirit plays in the moment by moment life of a mature believer.
January 29, 2022
I will definitely be reading this again!
March 6, 2024
Great book to both challenge and encourage a walk with Christ that is more than just "trying to get it right" on our own.
June 22, 2024
One of the best devotions I have EVER read. Simply put, Christ living in us will produce the righteousness of God.
January 24, 2025
Love everything he writes.
July 30, 2025
very good and insightful to a walk in Christ.
July 16, 2014
Joe and I finished reading this devotional together and began a different one. After a couple of weeks we put the other back on the shelf and are on our second time through The Indwelling Life of Christ. It has been such a blessing to both of us to begin to understand more about the beauty and power of Christ in us.
March 18, 2024
Heel fascinerend boek over hoe je Jezus in je hart mag wonen. De schrijver neemt je mee in kleine hoofdstukjes, waar je er dagelijks een van leest en waar je door de dag heen over nadenkt. Hele mooie nieuwe inzichten, die me bemoedigden om jezus een steeds betere vriend te laten worden in mijn leven.
January 23, 2011
Wonderful book.
June 22, 2015
Interesting book. Some good thoughts. Good nighttime reading.
August 26, 2012
Outstanding book!!! I've read it several times. It gives me a clear perspective on the Christian Walk!
March 13, 2013
I read this book in a season of hardship, and its simple but profound truth was a refreshing treasure for my soul.
March 5, 2022
Excellent!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews