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Temple of the Living God

Temple of the Living God

Words of Faith 10-30-17

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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2 Corinthians 6

     [16] What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

   [17] "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." [18] "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

 

       Paul expressed a remarkable vision here that flowed out of the passionate series of questions that he had put to the Corinthian readers. This is a picture of the reconciled people of God at peace with Him. Paul was not calling for the Corinthian believers to have no contact with unbelievers, but he was calling for holiness.

       Jesus prayed for those who followed Him, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:15-17).

         We are called to be in the world but not of the world. We are called to be sanctified or made holy by the Spirit within us. We are called to avoid that which is unclean. We are called to walk closely with God and He will receive us as children.

       Paul quoted several Old Testament verses here. Their cumulative effect bolstered Paul's exhortation. We are the temple of God where the Spirit of God and Christ dwells. We can take that individually of course, but Paul is surely speaking of the church, the Body of Christ. The promise of God to live among His people was ultimately fulfilled in Christ and enjoying God's presence requires personal holiness.

         These passages in Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:41 speak of Israel's redemption. God's people are redeemed from pagan bondage and are called to come out from them and be separate in order to be clean before God. They are called to touch no unclean thing and thus enjoy fellowship with Him.

         In Galatians Paul spoke of the bondage of those who are under the obligation of the Law. Paul wrote to Titus that redemption implied two things, deliverance "from all wickedness" and a purified people who are "His very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:14). Personal purity makes it possible to serve God and be received by Him. Jesus makes that personal purity possible.

         As redeemed people we are brought into a special relationship with God the Father as His sons and daughters. Isaiah prophesied that God will call forth his children, "I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth" (Is 43:6).

         Those who identify with Christ by faith in Him may call God "Father", "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit" (Eph 2:18). We have received full rights as children and God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father'" (Gal 4:5-6).  

         We are called to be in the world but not of it. We are called to be made clean by Jesus and then to walk in holiness with Him. We welcomed as children of the Father. This is what reconciliation is all about.

 

       Father God. It feels so good just to say that. Father God, thank You for calling me to be Your child. Purify me and call me to walk in increasing holiness by the power and presence of Your Spirit. In Jesus' Name.