As we have all been subjected to the ravages of time, assaults of the enemy and internal insurrections, we thank God that the foundation we have built on Christ has triumphantly withstood these blistering attacks and He has lovingly and powerfully preserved us day by day. We thank the Lord that we are encouraged and excited about our service to Him and we glorify His holy name. Knowing that Jesus is not looking for a race, a nation, a creed or an ethnicity. He is looking for a people. A cherished, sanctified, dedicated and consecrated people who He calls His church. A church He has personally cleansed, “That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5: 27)
Though these words were spoken over 2,000 years ago, they are just as timely and relevant here in the 21st century. They remind us that we must be sober and vigilant making sure that we do not become complacent in our walk with our eternal God because “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5: 8) There must be an ongoing evaluation of our own selves in order to ensure that we are still completely in the faith. I’m not talking about a quick glance or a casual consideration, but a comprehensive and candid assessment, because this precious faith that has been delivered to us is an extremely precious commodity. Since the dawn of our creation, God’s people have endured persecution, withstood physical retribution and even suffered death that we might cling to the only reality that truly matters …….. our life in Christ.
Ephesians 2:8 & 9 says "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” It goes on to say in verse 10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” So, even though there is nothing that we could do to merit salvation and our best attempts at good behavior are woefully inadequate, we are still required to be obedient to the directions of God. Being not only hearers of the Word, but doers, offering ourselves as “instruments of righteousness” that the Spirit of God might dwell within us. Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone and we are the temple. Singularly, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost as stated in 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” And likewise, according to Ephesians 2: 21-22, our individual bodies are members of the collective body of Christ, “In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
In the Old Testament during the reign of ancient Judah’s King Josiah, the temple of God had gradually become worn out and in a state of disrepair. Over a period of time it had degenerated from a place of magnificence to little more than an abandoned shack due to abuse and neglect. Therefore, this righteous king ordered that the breaches be repaired. So, just like that temple needed maintenance, how about the temple of the body of Christ, which is us? Has lack of maintenance left our temple beat up and run down and not suited for habitation. Is it time for the “breaches” in our temple to be repaired?
You may be thinking, “What breaches? There are no breaches!” Are there really no breaches or have we been hypnotized and persuaded to refrain from self-examination? That persuasion, my dear brethren, is not from above. “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of Him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (Galatians 5: 7-9) One thing is for sure, if we don’t look, we won’t see. And if we don’t see, we won’t know. And if we don’t know, we can’t correct. And if we can’t correct, we will continue to make errors. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10: 12)
Errors in the temple? That’s not such a big deal, right? Consider this. When instructions for the construction of the original tabernacle in the desert was dictated to Moses, errors were not tolerated. There was no room given for private interpretation of the plans nor allowances made for individual artistic expression. God Himself demanded strict and absolute accountability concerning the design, materials and activities relative to the temple. Therefore, the outcome of the project was predictable and evident, with final approval confirmed by the presence of God Himself. In this world of counterfeits, fakes and phonies, it is imperative that we follow the blueprints of God precisely so that we may know without a doubt of the authenticity of our temple. So, let us do as the Bible urges us, and that is to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)
And if we find that we have not maintained the temple according to the specifications of the Master Builder, let us be as King Josiah. He understood the necessity of identifying problems and making an effort to correct them, so he sent workers to repair the breaches in the temple. The King started out trying to please God by being a good steward of the facility he was entrusted with, but little did he know of the tremendous blessing that was about to be bestowed upon him because of his obedience. That blessing was the “Book of the Law” being found. So, he went from organizing a simple renovation project to being the recipient of a magnificent and stunning revelation, all because he saw a problem and made an honest and sincere attempt to fix it. After he’d done all he could, God gave the increase. It’s as simple as this, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John2: 1-2)
After the Book of the Law had been read to the King, he realized that they had not been following its precepts, so he “rent his clothes”, then said “Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.” (2 Kings 22: 13)
This was an amazing act of humility, particularly in light of the fact that, according to scripture, this King did that which was right in the sight of the Lord and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. So, putting away any pride or arrogance and not saying “It’s not me”, he accepted responsibility for being part of the problem, even though it appeared he was doing the right thing. Why? He identified with and viewed himself as a part of the body, therefore partaking in all of its joys and all of its sorrows. “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” (1 Corinthians 12: 26)
To conclude this amazing story, God, through his prophetess Huldah, told the King, “As touching the words you hast heard, because thine heart was tender and thou has humbled thyself before the Lord … and hast rent thy clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard thee.” (2 Kings 22: 18-19) Then the King issued an edict, “And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.” (2 Kings 23: 1-3)
So you see how important it is that we diligently make an effort to provide for the habitation of God in our lives. And it really isn’t a matter of choice whether we want to participate in the building and maintaining of God’s temple. We are chosen people. In 1 Chronicles 28:10 the Lord delivers to another chosen vessel instructions concerning His temple. In this passage He charges King Solomon by saying “Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.”
Yes, we are chosen vessels. And though the road may get rough at times, the Lord will always be there to see us through as He did with Peter who was sinking in the Sea of Galilee and as in Zechariah's vision of Joshua, in spite of Satan's opposition. "And He shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by." (Zechariah 3: 1-7)
So be encouraged and let not thy heart be troubled thou servants of the Most High God. The devices of that dastardly devil that are designed to derail you shall not succeed. "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54: 17) Jesus has already done all the work and all excuses have been nailed to the cross. All we have to do is trust and obey. “And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.” (Colossians 2: 10-14)
Remember this dear ones, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2: 11-14) “And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” (1 John 3: 3)
May the people of God offer Him glory, worship and praise in the precious name of His beloved Son, Jesus. And may His will, not ours, be done.
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