“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, honor God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians.6:19-20) (ESV).
Paul piques our interest by asking, “Do you not know” as if we had missed something before. He then reminds us by giving a more precise understanding, explaining the context of a lifestyle of purity: Yielded to the Spirit in holiness and a union that goes beyond a physical relationship; our bodies are a holy place, a sacred temple for the indwelling, the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, and our commitment to keeping our bodies pure, physically, and spiritually. The temple was a place devoted to worshiping God, a place of prayer, sacrifice, and consecration. It was a holy place because the presence of God was there; the temple was to be a meeting place between God and man.
We see the Holy Spirit of God that resides in us, in creation, moving over the face of the waters (Gen.1;2). The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, dwells in us (Rom.8:11). Let’s pause here for a moment! Paul reminds us our bodies belong to God and not to ourselves. We are not our own; we were bought with the bride-price of the precious blood of Christ, it cost Jesus His life, He was the sacrifice, the Lamb was slain for our redemption, what love that One would give His life for another, Christ loved His bride the church that He would die for her.
With this love in mind, we are to steward our bodies well: where we go, what we eat, what we watch, and what we listen to. So that nothing impure or defiled should enter this sacred place; we are to guard this place of communion passionately. Everything in communion is relational and intimate and is to be honoured with reverence. It is where we engage with the Holy Spirit and partner with Him in a union as ONE. It’s a place of beholding, of becoming ONE in ministry and purpose. “I am my Beloveds, and He is mine (Songs2:16).
In this holy place of intimate fellowship, there is pure desire and delight in voluntarily giving one’s heart in love to the One who first loved us. It is a giving of oneself surrendered in adoration and praise, nothing held back, vulnerable and yielded, yoked in a commitment of love, trust, and obedience. It becomes a place of consecration, an altar of prayer, a worship of incense, an aroma of surrendering pleasing to God; His will becomes our will, our eyes opened of understanding with the revelation of God’s majesty and splendor. It is here we are made whole, strengthened in whose we are. Here is where He imparts zeal for righteousness. It is the place of passionate love, kindled by a holy flame. In this sacred place, our hearts become His fully; the very movement of our hearts to love Him brings Him delight, a gaze of loving obedience glorifying God and keeping our communion holy. Our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit of God!
Spirit of the Living God, we acknowledge Your Holy Presence within us, Your dwelling place! Holy Spirit, we acknowledge Your power in us, You Who is in us greater than he that is in the world (1Jhn.4:4). We acknowledge that You are Holy, Holy, Holy. You are worthy of praise, worthy of worship, worthy of honor and adoration, worthy of our attention. Holy Spirit of God, give our minds revelation and our hearts understanding, awareness of Your Presence, sensitivity to Your moving and consciousness of Your holiness. You are worthy, worthy, worthy. Selah!
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