6^thMay

“Don’t you realise that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a High price. So you must honour God with your body.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Today’s reading is one of those verses that is so important to remind ourselves of on a regular basis. It is so appropriate when there is so much immorality around us (even in the church), to be reminded that we are living vessels for the very presence of Almighty God.

Paul, in writing this chapter, is addressing a particular issue in the church of Corinth, immorality. Sexual immorality was in abundance, yet that sad thing was, that it was creeping into the church. In fact in chapter 5, Paul addresses a particular issue, whereby a man in the church was living in sin with his stepmother. The sad thing is that these kind of issues are still very much present in today’s society.

So often we live our lives without the thought and care that are bodies are the temple and dwelling place of God’s presence. In the Old Testament the dwelling place of God’s presence, the Holy of Holies, was considered the most anointed and holiest of places. Only one person, once a year, after performing many purification rituals, could enter into it. Yet when Jesus died and the veil was ripped, it opened up an intimate relationship with God Himself, whereby He could come into our hearts and dwell within us. That is why Paul says we were bought at a high price.

It is this reason that Paul encouraged the church in Corinth and also today’s reader to remain pure and holy, to run away from sexual immorality and honour God with our bodies. Today can be a new start. God is merciful and kind and as we heard last week, slow to anger and rich in love. It is never too late to make right your relationship with God, our Heavenly Father.