Keep God’s temple holy – Part 2

While many people make a big deal of how much they treasure and hallow the Temple of God, they unconscionably continue to indulge in sinful and perilous lifestyle. They lose sight of the Lord’s unchanging requirement for repentance, if they were to attract His favour.

Judgment came on Israel because Solomon and the people did not consider the condition in God’s response and revelation at the dedication of the temple. “But if ye shall at all turn from following me… and serve other gods, and worship them: …this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight.” God exalts His word above His name and every man’s personality.

Despite the warnings he received, Solomon “clave unto (strange women) in love… that… turned away his heart after other gods”. He became an idol worshipper and “did evil in the sight of the LORD”.

The backsliding of Solomon and the children of Israel and God’s judgment on them proves wrong the doctrine of eternal security peddled by false teachers. 

Rather than repent and use the house of God in the right way, they continued in sin and “mocked the messengers of God,” who were sent to call them back to sanctity, sanctification and the service of God. They did not make the same effort in keeping the temple spiritually clean and holy, as they did in building it.

They sacrificed much in building the temple, but did not sacrifice as much in keeping it holy and acceptable to the Lord.

They did not sacrifice to make their temples, that is, their bodies and lives holy and habitable for God, as they did for the physical temple.

Thus, judgment came upon them “till there was no remedy.” We are the Lord’s temple. And since our body is the temple of God, we must take care of it, keep it holy, righteous, honest and just. We must be conscious of God’s abiding presence in us. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 

Many in the church have relegated the teaching on holiness and righteousness to the background because false preachers have defiled their minds with errors. Ministers of God should not utter things that will defile members of the church.

Instead, they should show the people the way of love, honesty and obedience to God’s word. When the temptation to fall into sin comes, we should remember that yielding could make others to be defiled. Those who defile others and their own mind, soul and spirit by their interaction, what they look at or read, will be judged by God. 

Solomon’s temple was eventually destroyed and many of the people lost the glorious opportunity of worshipping, living for God and living with Him in heaven. To make it to heaven on the final day, we must remain saved, holy, righteous, sanctified and be ready for the rapture of the saints by Christ.

Mount Moriah, where Abraham offered Isaac, where Jacob met God, the field where God accepted the sacrifice of David, was the place of Mercy that became a mess! Be warned. The Lord wants those who serve Him to be sanctified. To remain acceptable to God in worship and service, we must “sanctify now (ourselves), and sanctify the house of the LORD God of (our) fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place”. Although we may appear to be clean outwardly, we must ensure we are cleansed inwardly.

We must render our service to God in holiness, since people that are not holy cannot offer acceptable service to Him. To “serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life”, we must desire, pray and consecrate ourselves to God entirely, thirst for the experience of sanctification and believe He will purify our hearts. 

God’s holy nature demands holiness and sanctification of heart. Christ’s suffering and death to make us holy and redeemed from all iniquity demands holiness and sanctification.

The Holy Spirit, by His name, nature and ministry, demands holiness and sanctification. God wants His children, followers and members of the body of Christ to be holy. To be in agreement with God, we must be holy in heart and life.

Holiness of life is demanded by God, provided by Christ and imparted by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we should pursue, possess, preserve, preach, publicise, propagate and protect our sanctification until the final day.

Further Reading (King James Version): 2 Chronicles 5:11-14; 6:19-33; 7:12-22; 1 Kings 9:1-9; 11:1-9; Jeremiah 7:8-12,15; 23:11; 2 Chronicles 36:14-19; 1 Corinthians 3:16,17; Mark 7:20-23; Hebrews 12:14,15; James 3:5,6; 1 Peter 4:17,18; Revelation 21:27; 2 Chronicles 29:5,5,15,16; Leviticus 20:7,8; 1 Peter 1:14-16; Luke 1:74,75; Matthew 5:6,8; Acts 15:9; 2 Timothy 2:21,22; Hebrews 13:12-14; Psalm 24:3,4; Hebrews 2:9-11; Psalm 92:5.