Real, Living Temples

Know ye not that ye are the temple
of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you?
I Corinthians 4:5

In my younger, more spiritually immature days, I must tell you that I didn't really care for the Apostle Paul. No matter what I read that he had written, I felt if nothing else that he was a braggart, always patting himself on the back. However, as I matured and came to understand more fully that it was the Holy Spirit inspiring Paul to write everything he did, I came to appreciate him more. Now, the Holy Spirit speaks through him in such wonderful and unique ways to me personally.

In my study of all Scripture, I have been fascinated through the years regarding the Old Testament tabernacle. The tabernacle, that temporary structure and that later became a magnificent temple was the very center of the people's spiritual life, their salvation and their nearness to God Himself. The temple provided all a person would need in keeping in right relationship with God. God had thought it all out carefully, for you see, God has purpose in all He does and “He doeth all things well.”

With Jesus' arrival, ministry and death, there was no more a necessity for that building. Just as Jesus died on the cross, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. Where only the high priest was allowed in the holy of holy's once a year, everything was now open, no obstacles between God and man. All of that was such a huge deal, but then Paul took it further that involves every born again Christian there has ever been or ever will be.

Along with every wonderful advantage God has provided to supply us for spiritual living, Paul blessed us with the information that we are temples...walking, talking temples. It's hard to comprehend that we as temples are as precious to God as those buildings were in Old Testament days.

If we are temples of God, there are then some comparisons we can make to the Old Testament tabernacle/temple and the temples we are. This might give us some perspective in our function as the temples Paul speaks of.

Approaching the outside of the former temple, it was there that blood sacrifices were made for the sins of the people. For us to be a temple, we have to have gone through that process of sins being washed in blood. In our case, Jesus took care of that with His death on the cross. That gives us the privilege of being that living temple. The people had to provide the animals for sacrifices, for the cleansing of their sin. In our case, God provided the lamb...Jesus.

Next as we would enter the temple, we would see, in a very large room, three priceless items, each having it's own unique purpose. To our left, there was a golden candlestick. Jesus said that we are the light of the world. This is a distinct feature of our “temple-hood” that we are witnesses for Jesus at all times. The lights of that large candlestick were never allowed to go out. It should be the same with our witness...constant and consistent.

To our right upon entering the door of the temple was a table with shew bread on it. Jesus is the bread of life. The bread is often compared to the Word of God that feeds and strengthens us. You and I can't afford to suffer spiritual malnutrition if we are to be strong in the Lord.

Straight ahead was the altar of incense where the ascending smoke off of that altar was symbolic of the prayers of the people. I have to ask myself how strong my prayer life is? Do I settle for asking the blessing over my food or sending up some SOS prayers. God doesn't like the silent treatment from us anymore than we like it from others.

Of course, straight ahead beyond that altar of incense was the huge veil behind which the Spirit of God abided. The common person would never ever enter that place...death would be the penalty. Even the High Priest entered that area only once a year to sprinkle sacrificial blood on the mercy seat. God's spirit was seen in the wilderness over the tabernacle through a pillar of cloud by day and a piller of fire by night that hovered over the Holy of Holies.

We don't need pillars of anything to guide us now because that powerful Holy Spirit of God now resides within every person who has accepted Jesus as Savior. He is there to teach, guide and comfort. When the people in the wilderness saw the pillar begin to move, they got things together immediately and followed the pillar. When the Holy Spirit in us moves us to obey in any area of life, we are to respond immediately (pack up if necessary) and follow His leading. We don't have to understand the whys and wherefores, but need to move at His prompting.

I feel so blessed in knowing that the very spirit of God that led those folks in the wilderness was the same powerful spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. He's that same spirit that lives in those of us who have accepted Jesus as Savior. How unfortunate that we often live in spiritual defeat when that Spirit is available to you and me to walk in spiritual strength and victory. This Holy Spirit is a gentleman and won't force Himself on us. He is more than available to we “temples” as we witness, pray and feed on the Word.

When our children were MUCH younger, I found a Tabernacle cut-out book. It had all the pieces of the tabernacle to punch out and put together. We got it all together but it was just a replica made of some sturdy paper. You and I aren't temple replicas. We are the best of the better, just as God planned. Are we the real thing or just paper replicas. God is the only One who can tell the difference.

Dear Father...Thank You for making me one of Your children. May I really know what a responsibility it is to be Your temple. May I be faithful not just in various responsibilities but may I be a person of worship in this temple that I am like never before. I love you...In Jesus name...Amen