The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Lindsay Arthur
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
“If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple” (1 Cor 3:17 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
The construction of a building calls to mind thoughts about aesthetic design, building materials, craftsmanship, building standards, etc. In the same way, it is essential to know that we, the corporate body of Christ, are God’s temple building in which His Spirit dwells (3:16).
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Paul chastises the Corinthian believers for divisions among themselves (1:10). He sees them as true believers who do not lack spiritual gifts and are eagerly awaiting Jesus’ return (1:7). However, they are behaving like spiritual infants (3:1), requiring milk (3:2) and displaying jealousy and strife among themselves (3:3). Their condition results from bad attitudes and infighting that foster division born out of allegiances to humans (e.g., Paul, Apollos, and Cephas) along with Christ (1:10–17; 3:1–4).
Furthermore, Paul perceives the Corinthian community as a fertile field that he has planted with the seed of the gospel, Apollos has watered, and God has favored with growth (3:6). They are “God’s field, God’s building” (3:9). Paul has laid the foundation, which is Jesus Christ, and someone else is building on it. However, each one must build with care (3:10–11), for inferior materials and poor craftsmanship renders the building vulnerable to collapse.
The builders of whom Paul speaks are the leaders, teachers, and others responsible for developing, maturing, and strengthening God’s people into a holy temple in the Lord (cf. Eph 2:21). They must supply quality materials and craftsmanship for which they will either receive a reward or suffer great loss in the day of judgment (3:14–15). And so, Paul reminds them that their Christian community is God’s temple where His Spirit dwells (3:16). They are a sacred building, and God, Himself, will destroy anyone who seeks to destroy it.
EXHORTATION
Let us, therefore, build and strengthen our church community, which is God’s temple. Let us work together toward this end, using our best materials and craftsmanship. It is a labor of love the world will see and know that we are Jesus’ disciples (John 13:35).
PRAYER
Father, You have designated the church of Christ as Your temple—sacred and set apart for You. Help us to give our best work and obedient service to Your church, not desecrating it by creating bitter divisions among ourselves but building each other up for Your glory. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.