BUILDING THE TEMPLE
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:21-22 (NIV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."
Revelation 21:3 (ESV)
In the Ephesians passage, Paul further develops the picture of Gentiles and Jews becoming one household, one body through union with Christ. Gentiles (non-Jews) in Christ are now full participants in the covenant promises God made to Israel. They're being joined with Jews in Christ to become one unified dwelling place or temple (Church) where God, by His Spirit, resides with His people, the redeemed in Christ.
You and I, individually and collectively, through faith in Christ, are the dwelling place of God. We're called to live as a unified, growing, holy community of believers centered on Christ, with the Holy Spirit residing in us. This unity shapes more than our individual growth in Christ; it also shapes how we love, serve, forgive and encourage one another. As God's dwelling place, we're invited to live faithfully among His people, serving one another and reflecting His presence in ordinary acts of love, unity and obedience.
APPLICATION: Consider the following questions. Which one of these is God leading you to act on first?
* How am I supporting what God is doing at my church?
* Is there someone I need to reconcile with or forgive?
* Am I growing spiritually or remaining stagnant?
* Do my daily choices reflect that I belong to God and His people, trusting and obeying?
* How can I use my gifts to strengthen other believers this week?
PRAYER: God, thank You for calling me to new life in Christ and joining me with other believers to live out that calling! Guide me to trust You more deeply and to faithfully live out all that You are calling me to do. Amen.
"… 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?