Friday, November 15, 2013

The Temple

Sometimes when we have heard a concept for so long we can become numb to the depth and the complexity of the concept.  Paul wrote that we are the "temple of the Holy Spirit"

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

These frail human bodies have the ability to be the Temple of the Holy Spirit of God.  God's holy presence that was so incredibly powerful that when men tried to carry the Ark of the Covenant on a cart instead of by the poles - and the cart shifted and Uzza put his hand on the Ark he was immediately struck dead.  The Holy Presence of God that was so amazing that Moses face glowed after spending time on the mountain.  

God challenges us to love the Lord our God with our whole heart, soul, mind and body!  (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - Luke 10:27) 

Love God with your heart: that inner most part of your being that houses your emotions. 

Love God with your soul: that creative part of you who loves to question and to be creative. 

Love God with your mind: the more you know God the more you love God.  As we keep learning and gaining knowledge we can see how much more amazing God is the more we know. 

Love God with your body (strength, resources):  All the physical things that make you who you are outwardly must also love God.  Your physical body, you worldly possessions, all the things you tend to call your own need to glorify God!  

CS Lewis said: "the instrument through which you see God is your whole self.  And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred,"  

Traditions

Jesus was in Jerusalem and got into a heated argument with the Pharisees about hand washing. The Pharisees emphasized a ritual of hand washi...