[Forest Keeper]

God's presence in our hearts is not an alien presence inside of us. When we love someone, we love that person in spirit (in our "hearts") and that person's "presence " is said to be spiritual and not physical.

But that doesn't match the language the Bible uses. When you love someone, do you say you have been given something? No, if anything you are the giver (of your love). So, the Bible can't mean that you just start loving the Spirit. It's much more than that. Jesus said He will SEND. That is something from Him TO us. The language used is not metaphorical.

[kosta50]

But that doesn't match the language the Bible uses. When you love someone, do you say you have been given something?

Yes, we have been given a blessing, and a subject to love.

No, if anything you are the giver (of your love)

Love gives, but you must love first in order to give out of love. Giving is merely an external manifestation of your love, and not the love itself.

So, the Bible can't mean that you just start loving the Spirit. It's much more than that. Jesus said He will SEND. That is something from Him TO us. The language used is not metaphorical

It most certainly is metaphorical. God doesn't send Himself! The Spirit is neither subjected to the Son, nor inferior to Him or the Father. That which the Father and the Son will, so does the Spirit, and where the Spirit is so is Father and the Son. Otherwise, God can be de-constructed into "elements."

Besides, never mind the metaphorics, everyone who is baptized receives the Spirit, but not all love Him. Parents may shower their children with gifts of love and never expect anything in return and some children just may just never give that love back.