“Do you not know that 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 Corinthians 6:19-20

In the time in which this was written, temples were the places where the gods were thought to live.  More than places of worship, these were places of presence.  So when Paul reminds us that we are temples of God’s presence through the Holy Spirit, he is saying something quite profound.  God lives in us!  We are the place of God’s dwelling.  We are holy temples.  This did not happen because we cleansed ourselves or made ourselves into some incredible dwelling place.  This happened because God bought us with the price of Jesus’ life.  We are his purchased prime real estate so that his glorious presence can be seen in the world in which we live.  So as the place where God lives by his Spirit, we are challenged to honor and glorify God with our bodies, his temples.  No matter how you may look at your physical appearance today, remember this:  you are holy, precious, and glorious because the King of Glory has made his home in you through the Holy Spirit!

Today’s Prayer

O Father, today’s passage reminds me of your incredible nearness to me, even within me.  Forgive me when I have not realized your presence in me through the Holy Spirit.  Forgive me when I have devalued myself and my body as a temple of your holy presence.  Please be glorified in who I am, what I say, how I live, and what I think.  To you be glory, in Jesus’ name and through your Spirit’s presence.  Amen.