Nougat 16

We often focus on the set apart-ness of our bodies as God’s temple, but what other aspects are there? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“All of you surely know you are God’s temple and his Spirit lives in you. Together you are God’s holy temple, and God will destroy anyone who destroys his temple.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭CEV‬‬

The Houseguest

What an awesome privilege! God has chosen each of us to house God’s Spirit. If spirit is breath, and breath is a major source of life (remember Covid-19?), then in housing God’s Spirit we are housing the Source of Life. Especially since we know that God created all things – animate and inanimate. Let’s extend the metaphor just a little more.

Rather than getting wholly proud of our accomplishments (we did nothing to ‘make’ God choose us), we can think of Who we’re entertaining. Whether we go all out or not, most of us make an effort to prepare our house for guests. What do you do? I normally ensure that I have sufficient cutlery, sometimes proper cutlery, sweep and mop, and prepare the space my guest will sleep. If they are coming for a meal, depending on the menu, I start with marinating, seasoning in advance, so that the wait is not too much when the guest arrives.

When applied to our spiritual guest, what do we need to dust, sweep and mop? One great thing about this Guest is that God’s a specialist. No house is too unprepared or too dirty for God to inhabit or clean. No host too tired that God can’t rejuvenate. Yet, we do need to remind ourselves that we need to prepare – we have to decide whether our lives will adjust to God being in charge. For when we invite God in, it’s understood that we desire God’s total presence. I think that’s what needs to be marinated.

One of the perks of housing God’s Spirit is that God also provides security detail 24/7. Yup all day, every single day! It is part of the package. And since we have already established the power that comes with God’s name, we can only begin to imagine what the whole presence of the Trinity means. Like other dignitaries, God has security detail. Remember some angels are strictly warriors. In Joshua 1, when Joshua came face to face with God’s emissary, he was told that the being in front of him was the Captain of Heaven’s army (v. 14). And we are also assured that the angel of the Lord goes to war against those at war with God (see Psalm 34:7). And, though it seems Death won, Jesus’ resurrection is proof that the final enemy has been vanquished.

So, we already invited God’s Spirit in. Are we ready to give God full reign over all our circumstances?

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May all we seek be found in Christ