One temple, not a bunch of temples

In North America, personal independence is valued. From childhood, we are encouraged to “do it myself” and to “look out for number one.” This attitude has extended to personal relationships, the workplace, and to all social activities, club membership or involvement in organizations. Cooperation happens, but independence holds a high place. Keeping that in mind, there are a couple of surprises in these verses:

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16–17)

The first surprise is that the Greek word for ‘you’ is plural. Paul is writing to a church and telling them they are God’s temple. This is not about individual believers, even though the Lord resides in each of His people. It is about the Body of Christ and about the collective nature of all of us being the temple of God. In context, this is telling this congregation to quit quarreling and quit their competition over who is the best. They need to realize they are united as the Body, as the temple of God, not individuals who must exert their position in Christ.

The second surprise is what Paul says about those who defy this collective temple idea. In this case, the Greek word for ‘destroy’ means to mess up, to create disorder in; perhaps with the idea of ruining or making useless by its disorder. Basically, he is saying that their individualistic attitude toward each being a temple is ruining the reality of the whole church being a temple. This attitude is causing them to fight over all sorts of things. A quick read through 1 Corinthians shows they argued who was following who, who had the best gifts, and what should be done about disagreements.

God’s temple is holy. They were treating it as a boxing ring or an arena for competition. God values His temple so much that He will destroy anything that tries to destroy it. These people were in danger; their entire congregation was in danger because of their attitude of personal independence.

At this time, the congregation I worship with and am connected to is not like that. I’ve never heard anyone speak against anyone else. The fellowship is genuine and sweet. This ‘temple’ is a treasure, yet we are aware that unity is not to be taken for granted. Someone with a strong “I want” could mess it up.

This week, my hubby met a man who has been attending another church but is not happy. He said that one of their leaders had an independent attitude and left the church, taking 200 people with him. He called this ‘temple’ a “toxic environment” which gave his heart much sorrow.

^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, this story made my heart sad too. The attitude of ‘me first’ ruins marriages, families, companies, governments, and Christian congregations. You are not like that. Your people are warned against it. Your Word tells us:

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped . . .” (Philippians 2:1–6)

And with that attitude, You laid down Your life that we might live. Oh Lord, keep our focus on the Gospel and on You, the measure of who we are and how we must think and behave — together as Your people and as Your temple.