A temple is a house of worship. It is place where the earthly seek out the divine by prayer, service and supplication through thanksgiving. More specifically, in ancient Israel God’s people were instructed to build such a place where He could dwell among His people. His presence would be in their midst thus creating an avenue of fellowship and worship. Unfortunately, access was limited. Only once a year could one person enter into such temple, behind the veil in what was called the “Holy of Holies.” There the glory of God appeared as cloud over the mercy seat (Lev 16). There the High Priest would make sacrifices for sin for the people and himself.
Better is now available because of Jesus.
According to scripture, as our Lord was soon to die on the cross, a wonderful event happened inside the temple in Jerusalem that day in the presence of the priest serving there. Luke records (Lk 23:44-45), “It was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, (45) while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain [veil] of the temple was torn in two.” What did this event signify? A better way and access to God was now made available to those who placed their faith in Jesus. The veil that had separated and restricted access to the Father was now open for all to come into his presence. No longer would any High Priest (nor Pastor/Elder, or any man) be a mediator between us and God, but only Jesus (1 Tim 2:5-6).
Further, God no longer dwells in physical temples and buildings. We should never sing or say, “come into the house of the Lord,” as if human dwellings are holy. Remember Deacon Stephen’s words as he declared this truth of the Gospel that the religious elites stubbornly rejected (Acts 7:48-49), “Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, (49) ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?’”
I say again, better is now available because of Jesus.
These historical accounts helps us to understand Paul words to the church at Corinthian when he says in our focus text, “Do you not know that you are the God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” He highlights two divine truths that are spiritual blessings that we inherit….that is those who place their faith for salvation in Jesus:
- You are God’s temple. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ and the teaching of the apostles is the foundation to our faith. If they are the base substructure, then the church community is the building built on top of it. Peter declares (1 Pt 2:4-5), “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, (5) you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Hallelujah! We as a collective body become his temple where His glory is revealed and reflected into the world.
- God’s Spirit dwells in you. Upon the day of salvation, the Spirit of God comes inside to take up residence in the hearts and lives of his believers. No longer does he place his glory in a fix building, but rather we become mobile temples. We become his arms and feet. We become his body to go wherever he leads to spread the glory of his salvation to others.
Paul’s point is that we are no longer slaves to our old way of living before Christ. We are no longer controlled by our sinful nature for it has lost its power because of the death and resurrection of Christ. We are now ruled by our new nature, the indwelling Spirit of God given to us a gift. Because of who we are and who lives in us, we live our lives going forward according to his nature which is holiness (cf., Gal 2:20).
The veil is torn my friends. Better is now available through Jesus as he is our Advocate in heaven. The Spirit gifted to us is the administrating power of God that enables us to live righteously and reflect his glory in dark world. So when we struggle to trust and obey God, remember Paul’s charge. Who are you, and to whom do you belong? The answer is clear: You are God’s temple, and his Spirit dwells in you. Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com