“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV84)
Have you ever wondered why there is a question mark at the end of this verse instead of an exclamation point? Honestly, Paul could have said to the Corinthians, “You are God’s temple, and the Spirit of God lives in you!” But he doesn’t. Rather he says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” So, why the question mark?
Paul wanted the Corinthians, and us, to know that we too often live our lives confused and defeated because we are disconnected from God’s power and glory. Recall, please, that the children of Israel couldn’t face the presence of God on and around Mt. Sinai. The presence of God was so awesome and fearsome that they asked Moses to face it on his own. When Solomon built the temple, the glory and power of God filled the temple and even the priests had to leave. For the entire time period of the kings, God’s presence was veiled from the people as it resided behind the curtain in the Holy of Holies. God’s people throughout history have known and feared the power of God, a power that moves the hearts of men and entire nations at will.
Paul was telling us that because of our faith in Jesus Christ, who removed the barrier between us and God’s glory and power through His death and resurrection, we now have that same glory and power living in us. We need not doubt but believe that God’s Holy Spirit lives within us. We have, residing inside our hearts and souls, all the power we need to live out our earthly days. We need to live our lives as though the verse for today has an exclamation point at the end of it. We need to live bold and courageous lives that are rooted in God’s power and in the guidance of His Holy Spirit.
You are God’s temple, and God’s Holy Spirit lives in you!!!!!!!! 🙂
Peace!
Pastor Tom