NEW TEMPLES

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.           

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV)

It’s a shame this verse only gets associated with sexual immorality. This might be one of the most amazing verses in the Bible! In the Old Testament, the presence of God would dwell in a temple, in a place called the Holy of Holies. People would travel to the temple because God was amongst His people but not with them. God was personal because He identified with the people of Israel. He made Himself known. There was a sense of God's presence, but it still felt a bit distant, like a leader or boss you could never get time with. Years ago, I worked at a very large church and didn’t meet the senior pastor for the first few years. He was around, and I saw him, but we didn’t interact. I was around him, but we didn’t know each other.

The priests were always offering sacrifices at the temple because God was holy, and our sins separated us from Him. The Israelites saw God was amongst them, but they couldn’t get too close; their sin and His holiness would have been a deadly combination. Fast forward thousands of years later, Jesus is considered the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world! His temple would be a tomb, His throne would be a cross, and His crown would be thorns. Jesus’ death doesn’t just give you forgiveness; it makes you and me the new temple. In the same way, God used to dwell in the physical temple, in the Holy of Holies. You are now that temple! Let that sink in. The fullness of God lives in us, is available to us, and walks with us if we let Him! The death and resurrection of Jesus make us the new temples of God.

APPLICATION: Remember, you aren’t just set free; you are a temple of the Holy God!

PRAYER: If you are holding onto any sin, then remember what Jesus did on the cross. He was slain for you. God forgives your sin because Jesus paid its penalty; rest in that. Ask God to give you peace in knowing He is with you today!

“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)

• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
 

“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)

• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
 

“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)

• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
 

“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)

• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
 

“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)

• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
 

“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)

• Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?