The Temple of God

How is it in 1 Cor 3:16 that "the Spirit of God dwells in you"? So many times this passage is applied in some mystical manner. It seems that many people think there's this ghost thingy that gets inside you and causes you to lose control over your own body. It even causes you to do some crazy stuff that nobody but God understands. Well, first of all, even in the gifts mentioned in the later chapters of 1 Cor, men had control over what they did. Second, what would such activity accomplish? It's purpose was either to reveal new information concerning God's will or to confirm that which was revealed by God. Today, there is no new revelation from God; He has stated everything we need through His Word. God has never used spiritual gifts to glorify Him privately. Their intended purpose was to encourage men concerning Him.

So, if that's not it, what does it mean? Well, considering the previous post and having an understanding of what (and who) the Spirit of God is, it means that we can know His aim and purposes. How do we attain the Spirit of God, the "mind of Christ"? Does He chose me out and inject it into me? No. Our faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Rom 10:17).

God's temple has never been defined by its location. God's temple is defined by His location. The temple is where God causes His presence to dwell. That's how I am His temple, when His Spirit dwells in me. This temple is only referring to the church inasmuch as it refers to the individuals that make it up. It's primary application is to the individual. So how in v.17 would I destroy the temple of God? As one commentator states it, "we must do nothing that shall alienate ourselves from him, or corrupt and pollute ourselves, and thereby unfit ourselves for his use." God cannot dwell among unholiness or corruption. That is why in Ezekiel He caused His presence to leave His temple. The Jews thought it an atrocity that the temple was destoryed by Gentiles. What does it matter if the structure is destroyed if nothing important is inside? No, the greatest atrocity had already occurred. Their unholiness forced God to remove His presence. I receive His Spirit through the understanding of His will and He abides in me when I keep His dwelling place holy, set apart.

Gift of the Holy Spirit

In Acts 2 when those listening to Peter realize that it was they who crucified the Son of God they ask, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter tells them , "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Personally, at different times I struggled with the meaning of this gift. Many associate the "gift of the Holy Spirit" in Acts 2 with the spiritual gifts that were given to men to perform miracles, prophesy, and speak in tongues like those mentioned in 1 Cor 12. However, in 1 Cor 13:8-10 it says that when the revelation of God's Word is complete ("when the perfect [complete] comes") that these gifts would no longer be needed to confirm God's Word. Spiritual gifts are no longer given to men today, but the gift referenced by Peter in Acts 2 is given to every man upon repentance and baptism.

The gift is the Holy Spirit of God. God has given us His Spirit. What does that really mean? Again, something I've struggled with, but my study in 1 Cor 2 clarified some of my questions. In vs. 10-13, Paul explains that we have received the Hold Spirit and describes what it is by analogy. In v.11, he tells us about the "spirit of man" saying, "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him?" The only way to truly know me would be for me to impart my "spirit" to you. Not in some mystical way, rather for me to reveal "the immaterial, invisible part of man" (Lk. 8:55; 24:37,39; Acts 7:59; 1 Cor 5:3-5), "the element in man by which he perceives, reflects, feels, desires" (Mt. 5:3; 26:41; Mk. 2:8), my "purpose [or] aim" (2 Cor 12:18; Phil 1:27; Eph 4:23; Rev 19:10). So we understand exactly what is meant by the spirit of man.

Well, up until Jesus' ministry, man was ignorant of the purpose and aim of God. Man didn't know God's plan for man, and had it not been for Him revealing his Spirit to us, we never would. God has given us His Holy Spirit "that we might know the things freely given to us by God" (1 Cor 2:12b). How else would you know that the crucifixion of some guy that lived a couple thousand years ago gave you life? You understand what God did because He gave you His Holy Spirit; he told you so.

As a result, may I never think myself greater than any man because I realize what God has done for me. It's certainly by no work of my own that I have come to this understanding. God gave me His Spirit. I pray that I, as Paul, boast in nothing but in Jesus Christ. He did the work. He is the only one among us to be glorified.

A Foolish Message

In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul opens his letter as is the custom of his day with greeting (vs. 1-3) and thanksgiving (vs.4-9). In this letter he addresses a number of factions that have developed among the church at Corinth. In this first chapter he deals strife from their boasting as by whom each was baptized (vs. 10-17). Then Paul goes on to show that there is nothing in which man should boast regarding his salvation. Specifically, he shows that it came as a result of God's wisdom and man's foolishness (vs.18-25) and demonstrates man's foolishness by the nature of those who have been called (vs.26-31).

It seems that in a number of Paul's letters he deals with the pride of men. We always want to find something in which we can boast. So many times, pride is our greatest obstacle to doing what is right. In many ways God chose foolish methods to bring blessing upon his people. Consider the examples of Naaman's cleansing and the conquest of Jericho. And here we have the foolishness of the gospel. In fact, so foolish that it continues to elude men today. That God would glory in allowing the Messiah to die at man's hands is still a "stumbling block" to the Jews. Premillenialists believe that Jesus failed, FAILED, to establish His kingdom when he died on the cross and that he must return to fulfill His original purpose. Folks, victory is in his death. It doesn't get any more glorious than that. Again, God chose foolishness.

Why? Because if there was any talent required on my part in order to attain salvation then I would boast in my ability. But God wanted to make it known in no uncertain terms that salvation comes through His grace. In fact, that's the only way that in v.9 I can be "blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" and in v.10 that I can have "fellowship with His Son" in as much as I take part in His blood.

Paul further contends that it is only this foolish message that should call men to Christ. If it was "cleverness of speech" that brought men to Him, the cross would be made void. Where does that leave fish frys and carnivals? I mean, if drawing men to Christ by clever speech would void God's redemptive activity, how much more by fleshly desires? Does God's Word effectively address bringing salvation and its message to man? Then let us allow the glory of the cross to continue to draw men to the praise of God. There are no other means necessary; and maybe that's why there are none other authorized.

God Just Wants Me to Be Happy

I would say that for most people, when we sin against God it's primarily in areas that we don't fully understand why He has permitted or restricted us. It's in places where we don't really see what damage it is doing when we don't obey Him. So really, am I obeying in the rest of the areas, or am I merely in agreement with Him in some areas. I mean, am I really obeying God, or am I, like much of the world, picking and choosing the things I believe to be important. Do I fully trust God? Do I trust enough to obey Him even when I don't understand? In fact, these are probably the most essential areas to obey Him; those in which we don't fully recognize the presented dangers. The illustration of a blacksmith making horseshoes is a powerful one. Though the sin may not be red hot with obvious consequence, God knows that our exposure to it will burn just as badly. Okay, so maybe I didn't state that as well as the original story, but the point is, God knows things that I don't. I must express my full confidence in the Lord by obeying Him, not only in areas that I see the consequence of sin, but also in areas that I don't. God wants me to succeed. He wants me to be happy.

Wow... yeah, I don't hear that enough. "I know God wants me to be happy and doing this makes me happy." What better excuse for sinful activity has been given? The fallacy of such an idea is that I actually know what'll make me happy. Oh yeah, I most certainly can find the things that give me pleasure, but God knows what'll make me happy. Actually, God knows what will give me joy. As one of my brothers so appropriately stated, "happiness" shares the same root as does "happening". Thus happiness is in direct correlation as to what is happening, whereas joy can surpass the current circumstance. Read Ecclesiastes and tell me that seeking your pleasures will give you joy. Good luck. Pursuit of happiness in ways that stand in opposition to God's will lead to anything but happiness. You will arrive at a cul-de-sac miserable and unfulfilled. This is God's way of showing us that we need to turn to Him.

True Concern for the Sinful

I'm beginning a study of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. I reviewed Paul's journey heretofore and his previous contact with those brethren. There are a number of things that occur to me as I consider this letter. First of all, the true concern he has for the people. Paul's affection for them is derived greatly from the role he played in their knowledge of Christ. Knowing his care for them changes the tone of the letter. The second is the fact that here is a group of people that claim to be devoting their lives to the Lord that are caught up in all kinds of problems. Paul addresses them harshly in some circumstances, but he does so because of the great value he places on his relationship with them and more importantly, the great value of their souls.

However, I must not too quickly condemn the Corinthians. By no mean should their sin be condoned, but seeing such sin in the lives of those who recognize God to be the only King, it causes me to consider my own ways. I praise the Lord with my mouth, but how about by my behavior. If I'm not actively pursuing accomplishing His will, and I don't mean just studying it, but actually implementing it and carrying it out, then am I any better off than these Christians.

Do I, as Paul, have a true concern for God's people? Every people is God's people. He has a vested interest in their souls. Do I? I work with people every day. How frequently do I find opportunities to speak to them about our Lord. I hope by studying this book that I'll gain a better understanding of how to go about talking to people about the Lord when obeying Him would cause me to help them address some seriously incongruous issues in their life. Introspectively, let's first let the study hit home.

Living for a Cause

Sunday morning I was listening to the Word being preached. My friend who was preaching was telling young people that the most important things that they would need when going back to school would not be purchased at the local Wal-Mart. He made the point that living for Christ means taking our stand with Him. Trying to be a Christian at school was really difficult for me the first couple of years in High School. In fact, I failed. I look back and hope that no one ever heard me say, "I'm a Christian". I'm afraid that if they did the idea of Christianity would leave a taste in their mouth more bitter than sour orange juice. I finally decided that if I was going to follow Christ, I would have to stop hanging out with the kids that were a bad influence on me. A number of things began to change for the better after that. Not because I quit hanging out with those kids, but because I had made my resolve (Josh 24:15).

How many times have I considered the scenario where someone puts a gun to my head and says, "Are you a Christian?" I know that if I confess Him that my brains will be spattered on the carpet. I had always thought that to be the greatest confession of faith and love for God. But really, is that so hard? What seems harder is to first live for a cause. I mean, dying for a cause is simply worthless unless it has been lived for.

Take Jonah for instance. When he realized he was the one responsible for the calamity in which the sailors found themselves, he confessed his fear of the Lord and offered his life on their behalf. I used to think that this was Jonah repenting. However, the guy didn't want to go to Ninevah in the first place. We know by reading the text he would rather die than obey. That's not obedience. That's not love for God.

Look at Peter when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus. He said he was willing to give his life for the Lord and here we see evidence. However, when it came time to live his life for the Lord, he failed. How many times have I discovered myself in the same spot.

America sees love as something conceptual. However, in 1 Cor 13, which is considered by many to be the Christian's definition of love, how is love defined? In verses 4 and following, not single attribute of that love is conceptual. It is behavioral. So I find myself again in High School, in that I must question my loyalty to God. Would I take the bullet? What does it matter unless I've lived as if I will? If you are more afraid of living with your decision to serve God than you are to die for it, let's make it easy on ourselves. Let's put our own will to death and let Christ live through us (Gal 2:20).