The Temple of God

The Tabernacle was beautiful—a miracle on the desert. It taught God’s people that His Presence was with them—that He lived in their midst. Generations later, when the Israelites became a nation, they built a more elaborate Temple in Jerusalem. (When the first temple was destroyed, a second was built. Later, Herod built a third temple.) In their times, each of the temples in Jerusalem were also centers for worship and sacrifice—the place where people encountered God’s Presence.

But they were not the final temple. God’s temple is an ongoing construction project, and its spiritual reality is a deep mystery. The Bible tells Christians, Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (I Cor. 3:16 NKJV)

We look at ourselves and see flaws. Even mature Christians surprise us with un-Christlike behavior at times. Christians are not always beautiful—they are simply people who have received Jesus. Christians seem much less impressive than the Tabernacle or than one of the Temples.

The key is our foundation. Paul said no other foundation can anyone lay that than which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (v. 11) Once the presence of Jesus comes to live in our hearts, the human temple is reality because His foundation is established. Then God builds His life on the foundation. His life is resident within us. For although we’re far from perfect, we belong to God and we carry His Presence.

Originally published November 7, 1986.

Jesus—Only Jesus

Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians telling them he had been God’s wise master builder when he was among them. He had shared Christ with them and he had helped establish them as members of God’ family. Then he said, For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Cor. 3:11 NKJV)

If we think of our life with God as a building, we might like to add many things to our foundation. We might like to add our good works, our accomplishments, or our talents. We might even like to add our background—the accomplishments of parents or grandparents.

But Scripture is clear. Jesus—and only Jesus—can be a foundation for life with God. Nothing else is strong enough to withstand the shaking each Christian must face.

Because everything will be tested—even those additional aspects of our Christian life: Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw . . . the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. (vs. 12,13b)

Originally published August 9, 1991.
Picture: Cactus in bloom, Arizona desert, 2008. Photo by Patty.