(NLT)1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? [17] God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
I've heard many messages about our body being the temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore we need to take care of our bodies. And those messages are correct, but this passage is pointing to the fact that all believers are part of the temple of God. In other words, God lives in, functions, ministers through believers... all of us.
This week we are staying in a condo that belongs to some friends. We praise God for blessing them and for their generosity. It is located on a lake and is fantastic. We are treating each room with the utmost care and respect because we respect our friends and appreciate them.
Now let me tell you, this place is immaculate and decorated beautifully, but lets just imagine that there is one room in which we don't like the decor. (In case you read this, Kara, there aren't any. This is for illustrative purposes only.) So because we find the color scheme not to our liking, or the chairs a little hard we decide to trash that room. How do you think our friends would respond?
Is that not what we do when we choose to mistreat one of God's children? When we work against a brother or sister, rather through gossip, manipulation or some other hateful deed we are trashing part of the Temple of the Most High God.
Today, examine your heart and your relationships with others. Do you see each believer as part of God's temple? How do you treat the ones who make you uncomfortable?
(NLT)1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. [13] May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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