The Temple
March 21, 2009
Responding to a request to write a devotion based on John 2:13-22, I began to wonder “What could I equate to Christ cleaning the temple.”
Some Sundays as I enter the Church, I hear the lifting of praises and I feel good: Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. Other times, Especially when I am running late, I hear the sounds of commotion, noise, and people moving around. I allow my thoughts to wonder “if Christ was to return today, would He be pleased? Would He see me as a true Worshiper or would He ask me to leave? Would He think that I had turned His Temple into a market place. Daily in my walk with Him, I realize I may have done things to destroy His temple. Are my actions displayed during worship service, such as replying to a note passed to me or talking while the Pastor is presenting the message.
Our body is a temple to the Lord; am I destroying it by a lack of exercise, not maintaining a controlled diet, putting things into my system that will lead to the destruction of my body. Failing to take care as God intended is destroying the temple He has built.
I am rightly related to God, and I can choose to disobey. Not all believers are committed to the priorities of worship and obedience. Not all believers are willing to submit to the absolute and authoritative word of God. The believers who aspire to wisdom will be committed and submitted. He or she will be aware their body is a temple to God. In the scriptures we read, “We ourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in us. If anyone destroys God’s temple God will destroy Him for God’s temple is sacred and we are that temple. If we obey God’s word and live as He has commanded, we will be raised with Him at His return. Staying focused and being renewed in our faith, Personal Bible study and prayer as a daily habit is part of our Christian fitness program using what we learn in life each day being an effective learner remembering don’t turn His temple in to a den of thieves or a market place.
I submit this praying that God can and will be glorified in it.
Margie Mayes
