In the old testament, after the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, God sent them out of the garden but the purpose of God for the man he created remained undaunted. God wasn’t convenient with His decision. In the book of Exodus Chapter 25, God instructed Moses to build an ark as a sign of His presence among His people.
He gave out constructive and accurate instructions on how the temple was to be built. He told them things to do, things to get for the construction of the ark. He gave them clear instructions on the content of the ark, those that would be in charge of the ark, and how the ark would be carried and the distance of the carrier from the general populace and the location of the ark. The children of Israel had to follow the instructions accordingly and whenever any of these instructions is been altered, they face the consequences.
In the new testament, Jesus Christ came to correct a lot of things. His coming to the world to die for our sin brought us closer to God and gave us more clarity of God’s personality. When He was about to ascend into heaven, He promised as many that received Him the Holy Spirit, who will dwell in us and be our help in all things. When He left, we became the carrier of God’s presence as a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us. Our body became the vessel that God dwells and we carry God’s presence everywhere we go; it is no longer the ark. We are now that chosen and special one (what a glorious privilege).
The question is, how do you Host Him in your body?
We could see how important and sacred the ark of the covenant was based on the children of Israel’s attitude towards it. Is that how God is to you? Do you carry and Host Him as your Saviour, deliverer, healer, friend, father, and everything to you? Do you entertain Him with the right food or you offer Him poison? Do you give Him the best treatment or you have decided to starve Him? Are you always there for Him when He needs you or you have neglected Him? How well do you know and understand who you carry?
I Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) says “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your bodies”.
So many people have treated God as a beggar and have starved Him in one way or the other. You ignored Him sometimes when He needed your attention. You are distracted by the pleasures of this world, you neglected Him telling Him to hold on, if He can’t hold on, he can leave till you need Him some other time. You don’t even know or understand the capacity of who you carry. You refuse to remember that you are not your own, you are God’s tabernacle in His living vessels.
You do whatsoever you like with your body, you hurt God by refusing to obey Him, you stabbed Him with the wrong words of your mouth, you give him a vinegar by taking things that are not meant for a child of God, you mock Him with your association and involvement with the ungodly act, you ignored Him by not studying His word and fellowship with Him, you pour all sort of rubbish on Him when you are caught in different forms of immorality.
Romans 12:1(NIV) says “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship.
There are God’s standards that have been given to us to obey accordingly. These standards help us to host Him rightly and treat Him the way we ought to treat Him. The only place to get accurate standards is in the word of God. Our responsibility is to obey it as it is written. By so doing, you will know Him more.
Colossians 2:6 (NIV) says “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”.
You ought to live your life to please Him alone, fellowship with Him through worship, prayer, and studying the word of God. By so doing you will know Him more, understands your value in Him, and satisfying Him in all ways will be your priority. You will start manifesting in His might, people around you will see Him in you and His name will be glorified. You will know and understands what you carry, and the glory of God will be seen all over you.
If you’ve decided not to acknowledge Him, and refuse to host Him the way you are supposed to host Him. Then be ready for its consequences just like the children of Israel when they altered the instruction given to them by God. You will surely pay severely for what you have done because it will stand against you.
There is a chance for you to rededicate your life and body to Him today. It is not too late for you to make an adjustment. Invite and welcome Him afresh into your heart now. Tell Him to be in charge of your spirit, soul, and body. Promise to Host Him in your life and give Him the best of you. And as for you, that think you are already on the right path, ask for more grace to carry on and obey Him accordingly, tell Him to always order your step, and never to leave you alone.
Always keep telling yourself “MY BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF GOD”.
