So what does it mean to be the Temple of God? Specifically…What are the implications of being a temple of God and yet toying with sexual immorality?
It’s pretty stinking clear that sexual immorality (while no more damning than other sins) is somehow set apart in Scripture as being one of the top players on the block (pun intended).
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
For example, viewing pornography from Paul’s viewpoint here would be like blasting an adult movie on the walls of the temple. Why? Because WE are now the temple. Can you imagine some Joe walking into Solomon’s temple and breaking out a projector and portable DVD player complete with “Silver Tongue and Hot Rod?” Of course not. Yet why are we ok with viewing it ourselves in its many forms? Why are we ok bringing innocent women into the temple courts and defiling both right there (either in thought or action)?
Rick James' article did not go into this but my thought as I was reading this article was this… “Wait, if all other sin is committed outside the body (outside the temple) and sexual sin is committed inside the body (inside the temple) then how did Jesus respond to such sinners?”
CRAP! was the answer I said to myself.
Because I realized this: How did Jesus treat sin outside or away from the temple? He treated it firmly and lovingly and abruptly. He did not permit it yet He did not condemn those who practiced it (John 8). However, how did Jesus treat sin inside the temple? He was not very pleased with it to say the least (John 2) and brought his 'A' game.
Few things have I found that actually help in those moments of temptation. Memorized verses fade, strategies disappear, and intentions fly away. It’s just me and this 800 lb. elephant (it seems). However, to me, this new discovery is more empowering than all of that. Because it speaks of my identity, it speaks of who and whose I am. Suddenly it’s no longer me fighting alone trying to be good and in turn earning relationship with a good God. But rather its me… the big stinking temple of God! People should marvel for years to come about such a creation and wonder. I must walk forward and know that God has licked his fiery breath all over me, and it smells pretty good to some and pretty bad to others. But I’m ok with that!
So as it turns out those well-meaning Christians had a good point after all. But I'm still puzzled how I missed it all these years.
In my early church days I heard all the time, “you’re the temple of God.” Mostly this was in response to anyone talking about getting a tattoo or drinking some Black Label. Well-meaning Christians threw this phrase around like a whip towards impending snakes as if by somehow hearing the very words would strike fear and repentance into the would-be sinners. But never, I repeat NEVER did I understand what that phrase really meant until last week. I was reading an article by Rick James in a guy’s small group book called “And Dwelled Among Us.” For some reason my life has slipped past without me understanding that there have been a few main temples in history.
Temple #1 – Moses’ Tabernacle
Moses and the Israelites set up camp and make a big top tent to house the glory of God; God dwelled (or tabernacled) among them throughout the journey; when He moved... they moved. When He stopped, they stopped. Exodus 40:34-35 tells us how the glory of God came to rest in that place.
Exodus 40:34-35 34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
God inhabited the tabernacle with an astounding laser show!
Temple #2 – Solomon’s Temple
God tells Solomon to build a sweet temple for him (estimated at 2-5 billion today). Once complete the same thing happens at the dedication.
2 Chronicles 7:1-3 1When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "He is good; his love endures forever."
God once again inhabits the temple in a pretty cool fireworks show!
Temple #2.5 – The Rebuilt Temple
After Jerusalem is sacked by the Babylonians (around 600 B.C.) several ‘Prophets’ hanging around spoke of a new temple coming soon… even greater than that of Solomon’s. (i.e. Haggai 2).
Fast forward to around 520 B.C. the Jews regain entrance into Jerusalem and project #1 is to rebuild the temple. It is a sore attempt compared to Solomon’s but none the less they succeeded. However upon dedication everyone was expecting to see a fantastic display of God’s power. Nothing! Nothing happens, no fireworks, no smoke, no lights. God does not show up. Prophets continue with, “The Messiah will usher in the new Temple” This is followed with a very long period of silence by God.
Temple #You
Jesus is born, grows up, is baptized, ministers, claims to be the Messiah, hopes grow, temple blueprints are dreamed about, Jesus is arrested, tried, killed, buried. No new kingdom, no new temple. “Dang it!” I’m sure was the overall thought of most people, “I thought this was it.”
However… several days later… Pentecost!
The disciples are all together. All of a sudden the 4th of July show starts. God’s Spirit comes down in the same way he had before with Moses and Solomon.
Acts 2:1-4 1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
I have never counted myself more glorious than King Solomon’s Temple. I’ve heard about its beauty, its worth, its majesty and glory however I never put the two together.
God no longer dwells “among” us. He dwells “in” us. This of course is the great mystery claimed by the Apostle Paul (Col 1:26). The thing that Moses, David, Solomon never anticipated.
We truly are the Temple of God. No more will he dwell in shacks created by man. Only a masterpiece (Eph 2:10) created by a Creator is sufficient for Him.
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