His Own Temple In Which He Was Pleased To Dwell; Not Made Of Hands, Or Brick And Mortar - Part 2348

"And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." (I Peter 3:13-20)

In former days, some of us were blindly led astray to worship dumb and senseless idols. We were led into this darkness by persons who in all probability were themselves deceived. Or, as we learned from an earlier post, intoxicated by the things of this world, and thus, no longer able to discern the Word of God. Sadly, they now in turn pass along their erroneous error in the form of traditions of men and religious culture, continuing to propagate a lie that is contrary to the Word.

From a scriptural perspective -- how sad that we who believe choose to settle for man-made traditions rather than feasting upon the Bread of Life.

In this current dispensation, His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

Thus, the importance of impressing upon you a scriptural understanding. Increasingly, we are hearing people who claim to speak messages received from the Spirit of God -- self-declaring themselves as prophets. The question? How can one know whether the individual/message is really inspired by God or whether they are fake, and doing what they do for their own gain? No doubt, you have met many who assert that they are Christians, attending church meetings and yet constantly curse and blaspheme the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus. But I digress.

Apostle Paul elaborates on the gifts of the Spirit, whereby different gifts are given to different persons. In his letter to the saints and churches in Corinth, Paul reaffirms continually that it is the same Spirit who is the Giver. The work of the Spirit of God is not a new work of God but a continuation of the redemptive work of salvation. The difference from the Old Testament to the New Testament is that it is now administered to the world by new (born again) believers who now are the new members of the body of Jesus the Christ.

In other words, the Lord God decided to do a new thing in this current dispensation of grace. Not an extension of the old, or a mixing of the old and the new, but a brand new work wherein we could enter His rest forevermore.

Thus, the reason Jesus' body became cursed for us -- because He came to fulfill the Law. But in this dispensation, and as new members in the body of Christ church, we are called to become equipped with the powerful gifts of Jesus' holy Spirit. Why? Because we are now a member of His body. We are placed as individual members into the place wherein His purpose (placed in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb) could come to fruition.

The Spirit of God who alone knows beforehand the body (which is the measure of the stature of Christ) requirements. This explains why it is the Lord who adds daily to the body of Christ.

From the scriptures, we also know that Jesus is the wise master builder. As the builder, He uses living stones (believers) and not brick and mortar to build His church, wherein the gates of hell will NOT prevail against it. 

His own temple in which He is pleased to dwell. As the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in the man Jesus the Christ, so also will the fullness of the Godhead dwell in this new temple which is and always will be His only begotten Son. Now, as in any body (or institution) there are differences in functions of each member. 

In a body, there are normally a variety of activities associated with each part. Likewise, there are also a variety of effects. But, at the end of the day, it is the same God who is the master designer and builder who works all of these things according to the counsel of His own will. It is the same one God achieving His purpose through them all. The manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Ghost are given to each believer that each may use the gift or gifts that the body of Jesus be nourished.

But these do not come from dwelling on man-made traditions for our nutrients. And this is the hinging point. If we want to serve the Lord Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we need to feast on His Word to show ourselves approved, rightly discerning. (II Timothy 2:15)

We have a God-given purpose to fulfill, and every day He gives us breath is because He is still fulfilling His purpose within us. For those who don't know the peace and love of the Lord Jesus dwelling within, ask Him to become Lord in your life today. Find a New Testament and read Acts 2 -- which marks the beginning of the New Testament church. Be born again just like Jesus said, of both the water and of the Spirit. And let His peace and mercy rule and reign in your heart as you move forward in His Word and guidance and instruction. When water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, ye will know that He has just clothed you in His righteousness.

Stand in the offering plat.