A Holy Place!

To have been able to see the temple built under the direction of Solomon would have been awesome. Every time I read the description of the temple itself ( 1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 2-3) and its furnishing I am struck by how beautiful and ornate it must have been inside. The outside, however, was not as majestic as the elaborate interior. Centuries later, under the direction of Herod the Great as he attempted to gain favor among the Jews, the temple was rebuilt with perhaps more attention to the exterior of the structure to draw attention to its magnificence. However, within about forty years of our Lord’s crucifixion, it met its end in destruction as Jesus Himself had foretold. ( Matthew 24:1-2)

When it comes to people’s lives, some focus a considerable amount of attention on beautifying the outside or getting buffed up. Perhaps there are those who view their body as a temple of which, in a sense, they worship. Is as much attention placed on the condition within?

The temple of Solomon was to draw ATTENTION TO GOD! It was where God had placed His Name. After Solomon built it, God’s glory filled it! ( 2 Chronicles 7:2) This temple was where the nation of Israel came to meet God and therefore nothing unholy (whether person or offering) was to enter in.

In Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth he exhorted. . .
“(18) Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (19) Or do you not know that YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. SO GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY.” ( 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 ESV)

Here is another, but even more glorious structure, not made with hands, but a creation of God. As Christians we are to recognize what we have become and serious consideration is to be given to what goes on within and around this temple. It may not look like much on the outside to some, but surrendered to God Who works an inside job of transforming our lives, this temple becomes more and more beautiful and ornate within because of the holiness He brings to us. May we keep that magnificence in mind as we live to draw the ATTENTION TO HIM, understanding the GOD GLORIFYING purpose for which this temple (our body) is to be used.

Have a great day BEING FILLED MORE AND MORE WITH HIS GLORY!
Carl

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