Thursday, April 11, 2013

Ephesians 2 We are the house of God

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
(Ephesians 2:18-22 ESV)

We are being built into the household of God, the holy temple for God and his Spirit. This happens together as the body of Christ Jesus' followers. But it also happens individually as the Holy Spirit baptized us and makes its home in us.

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh." But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
(1 Corinthians 6:12-20 ESV)

God I feel temptations of the flesh and desires, but I want to turn my life and my body and my sin over to you. I want to glorify you in all things. My body and life is a holy temple for your spirit and I want to honor that. It is even more than just actions it is also in my thoughts and hearts that I am sinful and need cleansing:

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
(Matthew 5:27-30 ESV)

So Lord protect my heart and mind and body. God remind me of the spiritual reality of sin leading to death. Lord remind me that my new life and hope in Christ was bought at a price. It am not my own. I want to live to you Lord! Thank you God for the ways you have protected me from sin and temptations even beyond my self control or understanding. Lord help me to set my eyes on you.
Amen

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