God's Temple: God Focuses on People, Not the Building

For the people of Israel, the temple was the place of worship and the place where they celebrated their major holy days. The center of government and religion at that time was Jerusalem. So, at certain times, the Israelites would flock to Jerusalem to worship.

If the people of Israel had reason to travel far to worship at the Temple, what about us today? What is our reason for going to worship? Are any of us coming to church befocused only on what is visible? Churches with luxurious buildings, famous speakers, and excellent worship leaders. Once we arrive at the place of worship, we simply sit, stay quiet, and then go home.

Friend, do you know that this wrong motivation for coming to worship grieves the heart of God?

Worship that God Loves

1. True Worship

Some people worship only on Sundays or religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter. If the context of worship is an event held at certain times in church, doesn’t that mean we do not worship every day?

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God: this is your true worship.” – Romans 12:1

Looking at the verse above, then our true worship should take place every day—through offering lives that are pleasing to God. Have quality prayer and meditate on the word of God every day. The vertical relationship of the cross that we build with God is true worship.

2. Pure Worship

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God our Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” – James 1:27

The horizontal relationship of the cross is pure worship that we carry out through our relationships with others.

We can share life with others, including our fellow believers. Sharing is not only about material things, but about how we help, support, forgive, and care for one another. By keeping ourselves from every defilement of the world and sharing life with others, we offer pure worship before God.

3. We Are God's Temple

"Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16

This is the good news: God’s temple is you and me. We are a living and holy place because the Spirit of God dwells in our hearts. Examine the depth of your heart right now. Is the Spirit of God still at work in it? Or has that temple already been destroyed because we do not allow God to enter our hearts?

3 Reasons Why We Are His Favorite Place to Visit

This does not mean God does not care about a building as His temple. However, how delighted He is when each person has the conviction that he or she is a holy place.

Why is that?

1. You Belong to God

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have received from God—and that you are not your own?” – 1 Corinthians 6:19

Plant this principle and conviction deeply that you belong to God. Then, you will not do what is displeasing to Him because you are afraid of disappointing God.

2. You Are the Work of His Hands

"In Him the whole building is joined together, becoming a holy temple in the Lord.” – Ephesians 2:21

To build a luxurious building, a person will choose the best architect, no matter how much it costs. And, the architect of your life is God, the sovereign Creator of the universe. You are the work of His hands. Take pride in being chosen as God's living temple.

3. You Are His Best Choice

"And they never found me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple, or in the synagogues, or anywhere else in the city.” – Acts 24:12

God never makes a mistake when placing His Spirit within each person. You are God's best choice God if your life is in line with His commands. Your way of life is different from most people in a positive sense.

Let us make ourselves a place of true and pure worship. Open the door of our hearts as wide as possible so that God may always be present in our lives. Amen!