Dedicate Your Temple

I have numerously read and heard the scripture that refers to my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and yet this week, this verse was revealed a new to me as I read 2 Chronicles 6-7 on the dedication of the temple built by Solomon. 

Solomon prays earnestly to God for dedication of the temple in 2nd Chronicles chapter 6 and his prayer has some outstanding highlights: he is in awe of God and worships Him (vs 14-17); he acknowledges that God's choice to come and dwell in the built temple is purely out of His mercy and grace (vs 18-21); he covenants with God that He may remember mercy whenever they sin (vs 22-39); he welcomes God to come and dwell in the temple (vs 40-42).

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Reflecting on the cross should lead us to worshiping God, for the redemptive work accomplished by Christ so that we may be reconciled to God. Christ became sin, was ridiculed, humiliated, afflicted and died, so that I may be eternally redeemed -the punishment of my sins is fully paid for.  He became a curse for us so that we may no longer be under the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13); he became poor so that we may be rich (2nd Corinthians 8:9); he became sin so that we may be His righteousness (2nd Corinthians 5:21).

Secondly, God's presence filled the temple Solomon built, not because of its ambiance and magnificence, but purely because of His love, mercy and grace.  Today, God has created our bodies to be the temple of His Spirit and this is purely a work of love, grace and mercy.  Who am I that the King of all glory should make me His home (His dwelling place)!  

Thirdly, Solomon acknowledges their fallibility as mere men and asks God to remember mercy whenever they repent of their sin.  We are flesh and dust, and in our Christian journey, we will fall short of God's glory.  The good news is that, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us of all our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  True repentance is more than asking for forgiveness, it entails four things: humbling oneself, asking for forgiveness, seeking God's face and turning away from your wicked way (2 Chronicles 7:14). 

Fourthly, Solomon welcomes God to dwell in the temple and prays for the manifestation of God's goodness and fulfillment of God's promises.  We belong in the presence of God, for apart from Him, we do nothing.  How do we ensure that we continually dwell in His presence? Obedience, which is a natural response when we love God.  John 14:23 states that, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."  God delights to show off His splendor and manifest His glory through His children- those who walk blamelessly before him (2 Chronicles 16:9). 

When 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 Chronicles 7:1).  According to NIV commentary, "This fire was sent to burn continuously under the altar of burnt offering and it symbolised God's presence (Leviticus 6:8-13).  Fire had similarly come down when the tabernacle was being dedicated in Leviticus 9:22-24.  This was the real dedication of the temple because only God's purifying power can make something holy."  God is the refiner's fire that purifies us and refines us like gold and silver (Malachi 3:3).  In the New Testament, our bodies are the living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).  May God's fire come upon us to consume every chaff and to sanctify us through and through (1st Thessalonians 5:23).

Dedication means to be set apart or consecrated for a special or exclusive purpose.  You and I have a special, God given purpose (Ephesians 1:11-12).  To accomplish that divine purpose, we must be set apart for God.  No wonder in 2nd Corinthians 6:17 the bible commands us, "...come out from them (the world) and be separate." .  We live in a corrupted world, where the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life has extensively permeated the fabric of our society.  Yet God's clear instructions to us is, "Be set apart from the world.  Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.  Offer yourselves as living sacrifices.  Walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh."

Join me in making this prayer as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:23:

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify [me] through and through.  May [my] whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."