The Temple of God
The temple always played an incredibly important part of Israel’s Old Covenant. In it, there was a sanctuary where priests performed ordinances in service to God. Past the sanctuary, behind a veil, was the Holy of Holies where the ark of the covenant was and once a year the high priest made a sacrifice for the sins of all of Israel. It was a sacred place where God dwelt (Lev 4, Heb 9).
In fact, it was so sacred and holy, that if anyone defiled the temple of God, they would be put to death (Lev 15:31, 19:30, 20:3, Num 19:20).
Today, under grace, there is no need for us to go to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices for our sins. The sacrificial blood of Christ was offered for you and when you trust in His payment for your sins, you receive the atonement for all of your sins (Rom 5:21).
Even though there is no more need for animal sacrifices, there is still a temple of God that is sacred and holy, but it is not a building made with hands.
“[16] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16
“[19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” – 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20
If you have trusted in the gospel of Christ, you have received the Holy Spirit and your body is the temple of God (Eph 1:13-14). He dwells in you and because of that, we are to serve and glorify Him with our spirits and bodies. We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice by fleeing fornication, idolatry, and our fleshly desires so that we can grow in Christ and help others be saved.
Salvation is freely given by grace through faith today and the temple of God, which we are, is built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. While our works can’t take away or add to our salvation, how we serve God still matters. The work we do can grieve God or please Him (Eph 4:30, 2Ti 2:4). The sort of work we perform will still be judged and will abide or be burned (1Co 3:9-15).
The world’s wisdom is fleeting and vain. Don’t get caught up in it and waste your life. Renew your mind in the Word and pray so that you can serve God rightly and build upon the foundation of Christ with work that lasts for eternity. You are the temple of the living God, so you should act like it.
