We are God's Temple

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1 Corinthians  3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

A temple is a religious building that's meant for worshipping or praying. God's temple is a place of God's dwelling, a place that house the presence of God where worship is done. 

Tabernacles were the first place of sacrifice to God, where a priest would conduct sacrifice and offerings on behalf of the people. But latter in their journey with God, He instructed Solomon to build a temple where people can gather for worship where God himself will dwell. 

As Christ has sacrificed himself through the unconditional love of God which brings us salvation, the temple of the living God is then  extended from temples made with hands to the heart of men. 

Isn’t it very wonderful to think that God’s presence is in each of us? It is the most marvelous reality of the Christian life. Now we should  understand that God has a twofold objectives of salvation:

First is to bring us into His heavenly home. This is the future of every Christian; second is to make us His temple where His presence dwells. This is the present reality of every believer’s life.

Now in respect to this reality, what does God expect from us being His temple? What is His desire for us? On the other hand, having His presence in us, how would it affect our behavior, our lifestyle, our disposition, and in our response to circumstances? 

In other to answer the above questions, Let us study the incidence where Jesus is found cleansing the temple of Jerusalem. this incident happened after the triumphant entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. He went directly to the temple.

the feast of Passover was about to be celebrated, so there were probably not less than a million Jews coming in the city of Jerusalem. Christ was indignant to see the condition of the temple, it was full of filth, material and moral garbage. God was so hurt! Israel failed God of His purpose to them; in the same way we always failed God in His expectations of us. 

GOD WANTS US TO BE A TEMPLE (OR A HOUSE) OF PURITY.

1. In Matthew 12:12, Christ casts everything that brought moral filth to the temple. Purity comes as a result of the act of consecration. Consecrated things are deemed pure, and to be used for sacred purposes only. 

In reality we have some properties tagged “for official use only”, so also each of us should bear a tag on our body “for God’s use only”.  reflect yourself with this simple question: How did I use my body? 

HE WANTS US TO BE A TEMPLE (OR A HOUSE) OF PRAYER.

 In verse 13.
 For many people, prayer is flattering God with few words of praise; telling Him their circumstances (as if God doesn’t know); bombarding Him with requests, and acting desperate for Him to bless.

But prayer is not that. It is not informing God our problems, our needs. He knows everything! It is, however, recognizing the true worth of God in our lives. That’s why prayer is more than simply communicating God; it is worshiping God. Why you pray and how you pray reveal the measure of your understanding and faith in God. Oh how many of us limit God by the way our prayers were made.

HE WANTS US TO BE A TEMPLE (OR A HOUSE) OF POWER.

The power in Christ Jesus is extended to us as His disciples as long as we remain in him. Christ said in his words in John  14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  As a temple of God which houses the God of all powers, then the career of God should be full of power. 

 HE WANTS US TO BE A TEMPLE (OR A HOUSE) OF PRAISE.

In verse 15 
 To declare the praises of God is another purpose of the temple. Therefore it must be filled with praise of God. But where praise comes? It comes from knowing who God is, and what He does.

As we become God's temple and understand what He desires from us, we then must remain holy because He is holy and anyone who defiled His temple the same will God destroy.

You can only avoid God's destruction if you remain holy and obedient to Him always. 

God bless you. 

Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name. 

2. Lord, help me to remain holy as I am your temple in Jesus Christ name. 

3. Lord, help me not to fail you in all areas of my life in Jesus Christ name. 

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.