WE ARE TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

[How do we know, for a certainty, that we belong to God? We are gentiles; we know that God’s people are the Jews?] “…remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” — remember that at that time you were SEPARATE FROM CHRIST, EXCLUDED FROM CITIZENSHIP in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, WITHOUT HOPE AND WITHOUT GOD in the world.” (Eph. 2:11-12) [So what happened to change this?] “…now in Christ Jesus you…have been brought near BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST…who has MADE THE TWO GROUPS ONE and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…His purpose was to create in himself ONE NEW HUMANITY…For through him WE BOTH HAVE ACCESS to the Father by one Spirit. (Eph. 2:13-18) [There are no longer two people but one, because of the Blood!] “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. …in him you too are being built together to BECOME A DWELLING IN WHICH GOD LIVES BY HIS SPIRIT.] (Eph. 2:19-22) [We are one in Christ, but look what else we have:] “…those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God… the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ABBA, FATHER.” THE SPIRIT HIMSELF testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST…” (Rom. 8:14-17) [That settles it then; we are God’s children, His heirs and co-heirs with Christ. So we are defiantly called by His name. Even better than that:] “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR HER… After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they…care for their body, just as Christ does the church– FOR WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY.” (Eph. 5:25-30) [Jesus loves us so much that He made us truly one with Him:] “…you are THE BODY OF CHRIST, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corin. 12:27) [Look at this:] “…YOUR BODIES ARE TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO IS IN YOU, whom you have received from God? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN; you were bought at a price. Therefore HONOR GOD with your bodies.” (1 Corin. 6:19-20)

Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that OUR BODIES ARE TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO IS IN US!
-Bill Stockham