My Identity in ChristNäide

A dwelling of the Holy Spirit / a sanctified body

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you and whom you have received from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

The religion or philosophy of life you follow helps determine your identity. It says something about what you stand for in life. Moreover, those who follow rules that belong to that philosophy of life or religion will be shaped by it. Suppose you pray five times every day, you learn discipline.

The Jews were used to rules and rituals. With these, they served God and could somewhat get close to Him. Jesus' disciples - all Jewish - did not believe their ears when Jesus promised that He and His Father would move in with those who love Him (John 14:23). The holy God comes to dwell with His Spirit in every human heart that loves Him! With that, your whole body becomes a temple of the Spirit. That goes so much further than following rules.

So it matters what you do with your body. Paul urgently warns against sexual sins, because you are committing them against your own body - and that body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. That requires discipline (Romans 12:1).

It also matters how you view your own body. Are you happy with how God made you? Are you taking good care of your body? There is every reason to answer 'yes' to these questions: God created you AND He dwells in you with His Spirit!

Are you treating your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit?