From the Elder's Pen "Where God Dwells" 12/01/02 Past/Future Articles

 Inherent in the above adverbial caption is the idea that there are some venues where God does NOT dwell.  I do not mean to imply by this statement that there are places inaccessible to God’s Spirit-presence, for Solomon tells us that the “eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:13).  But what I do mean to convey is that the words, “where God dwells” involve places and acts that have divine approbation, hence, where God is PLEASED to dwell.
 In Acts 17:24, we are told that God “dwelleth not in temples made with hands.”  Surely the passage does not mean that God was unaware of the unlawful, idolatrous and ignorant worship displayed on Mars Hill.  The term, “dwelleth not” clearly indicates from the context that God does not approve of, He cannot be reached by, nor does He any longer wink at the scholarly deficiency of those who seek to feel-worship Him through the handiwork of men, that is to say, idolatry.  I hasten to add, idolatry can be either ritualistic (as demonstrated in Acts 17:22) or non-ritualistic (as pointed out by the apostle Paul in Phil. 3:19).  Jesus warned of laying treasures upon the earth to the detriment of the soul (Matt. 6:19-20).  In other words, there are those whose god is their money and/or material possessions.  In either case, ritually or non-ritually, God does not dwell in such temples of idolatry, literal or figurative (Gal. 5:20).
 Where then does God dwell?  God dwells where His word is preached, unmingled with the doctrines and commandments of men (Matt. 15:8-9).  God dwells where the one and only body, which is the one church of Christ, is honored and respected by gathering together in the name of Christ.  Where Christ dwells, God dwells.  God dwells where those who make God’s business their business in terms of earnestly contending for THE FAITH that has once been delivered to the saints (Jude 3).  God dwells where His commandments are objectively obeyed from the heart by those who are not the servants of sin, but of righteousness (Rom. 6:17).
 Brethren, let us with concentrated concern make certain that God dwells with us in all that we say and do, for just as God commanded the children of Israel, He yet commands us, not concerning animal sacrifices which He commanded them to offer (Ex.20:24), but to offer our bodies as a LIVING sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is our spiritual service (Rom. 12:1).
 The bottom line, as it was for the Isarelites, is for us, under the law of Christ: To bring our offerings (service) where God records His name, and He will dwell with us and bless us. Cf. Ex. 20:24; Rom. 12:1.