THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - August 30, 2014 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord (Ephesians 2:22). God has always desired to have an intimate relationship with those whom he created to be after His likeness and in his own image (Genesis 1:26-27) - the members of this stubborn and often rebellious human race. His Master Plan for mankind has unfolded during many phases and dispensations of human history always moving toward the ultimate goal of a perfected union between God and man. In their wilderness journeying the Jewish people under Gods direction built a portable tabernacle for the Lord. Later, when they reached the Promised Land they constructed a permanent temple made of stone in Jerusalem which became the place where they met with God. But these were only but these were only stages leading up to our current dispensation. Acts 7:44-49 emphasizes this when it says: Out fathers had the tabernacle of witness, as he appointed...David; who found favor before God...desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him a house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool; what house will you build for me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Though God manifested His presence in both the tabernacle and the temple in a glorious way, we, today, who live in the new testament age, that of the Spirit (II Corinthians 3:6) have a unutterable privilege which is even more glorious (II Corinthians 3:8, NIV). The Bible tells us that is that we as individual believers born of the Spirit (John 3;6) and filled with the Spirit of God (Ephesians 5:18) and together as the church of the living God (I Timothy 3:15) are the living temple in which God dwells. Paul writes to the Christians in Corinth: Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (I Corinthians 3:16). Paul is trying to bring home to the rather carnal Corinthians the glorious privilege which they had come into as Gods people in the current New Testament age in which God not only dwells among men as He did in Old Testament days, but lives within them. Kenneth Wuest translates this: Do you no all know that all of you are Gods inner sanctuary and that the Spirit of God is making his home in you? God is building a home for Himself, a holy temple made without hands which can be a the place of His ultimate rest - and it is in us, the Church! This has immense implications and affects every dimension of our lives. Let us rejoice in the consummate privilege which God has given us of being brought into such a a glorious union with Himself! It is heaven on earth - and followed not long after by heaven in heaven! GOING DEEPER: One floor of this temple is on the earth and another in heaven. The view is better from the second story, but, for now, we are here on ground level and have an important job to do - in fact, we have several important jobs to do! The Amplified Version reads: In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves are also being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit Todays verse also emphasizes that the church is constantly growing and we are all called to aid its growth in several ways: (1) It is growing in size as new members are added to it daily. By this I mean the world-wide body of Christ which increases through personal evangelism and missionary efforts to people of every tribe and tongue and people group as faithful believers share the Good News of Christs salvation. This is Gods building project but we are all called to be co-laborers with Him in it (I Corinthians 3:9). (2) The Church, both local and universal, also grows in love, unity and Christian fellowship as we all learn to take our place, serve together and edify or build up one another in our common faith. Jude 20 instructs us: Beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit (Amplified). (3) We should all be be growing in personal holiness, in love for God and others, in knowledge of Gods word and in practicing the harmony which ultimately we will experience in heaven forever. Only through a process of inner cleansing and sanctification can we become vessels in which the Christ might finally settle down and be completely at home in [our] hearts (Ephesians 3:17, Expanded Translation). (4) We should also be growing in genuine worship of our awesome God since our purpose as living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple is to become his holy priests offering up spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving that please God (I Peter 2:5, NLT). This is what we will be doing in heaven and our time on earth, if rightly spent, is only a dress rehearsal! There should be a worship service going on inside of our personal inner sanctuaries (as much as possible) at all times that we may show forth the praises of him who has called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light (I Peter 2:9)! Why wait until heaven to be happy, when we can do that right now! Is your temple open for worship today?
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 10:32:26 +0000
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