E-votional

Holy of Holies

1 Cor 3:16, 17b Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?...the temple of God is holy and that is what you are.

I consider myself pretty normal. I am a normal height for my people group. I am around an average weight and have an average build. I don't really excel at anything. I am not a superstar but I am average at many things. I could be called an average Joe but I am not. Something sets me apart. Someone has put me head and shoulders above the rest and if you stand in the same Light as me you can claim the same truth. If you have ever struggled with being "normal" or "average," then here is some good news for you.

When Jesus was crucified, the veil in Herod's temple was torn from top to bottom (Matt 27:51). This veil separated the holy place from the holy of holies where the glory of the Lord was to reside (Ex 40:34, 2 Chron 5:13b-14) Only one person was allowed to enter that room and that person, the Levitical high priest, could only enter once a year on the day of atonement (Lev 16). This was a pretty special place for in it the sins of all the people were atoned for, for the year. When the veil was torn it revealed that the glory of the Lord no longer resided in the temple. He actually pressed the eject button about 600 years earlier when the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s temple in 586 BC.

During His earthly ministry Jesus had become for us the Temple (John 2:19). In Him resided all the glory of the Lord (John 1:14) He was a very special person for on Him the sins of the world were placed (2 Cor 5:21) and in Him we have forgiveness of all our sins (Eph 1:7). After Jesus (the temple) was crucified, resurrected and ascended; the Lord chose a new temple....

You!

If you have accepted Christ as Savior, you are now the new temple of the Lord (2 Cor 6:16, 1 Cor 3:16-17)! In you resides all the glory of the Lord (1 Cor 3:17) and all of your sins, past present and future have been forgiven (Col 2:13-14). You have been consecrated, you are literally clean, and you are now permanently holy (1 Cor 3:17). The Greek word for temple in 1 Cor 3:17 is naos. This word, as opposed to heiron which refers to the outer court, makes reference to the inner temple. You are the naos of God. You are the new Holy of Holies of God! You are special beyond belief and shame on anyone who calls you normal! You are anything but normal. You are the Holy of Holies of God! Accept the truth, claim it and live it! Praise Him today!