This morning in my quiet time with God, I read a devotional by Oswald Chambers from his book “Utmost for His Highest.” The title for today was, “The Temple of the Holy Spirit”, but as I read it, I kept thinking of the armor of God. With every referenced passage I kept thinking of the armor God has for us.
Of course, we must care for this temple. We need to live a life that nourishes not only our body but our spirit and the Holy Spirit which resides within us and we also need to protect this temple from physical and spiritual corruption.
As I pondered these things, I took each of the passages that Oswald Chambers used and looked at them and, in some cases expanded on them. The first was in Galatians.
Galatians 2
In Galatians 2 Paul speaks of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 2:20-21 (ESV Strong’s)
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
This is the same thing that Jesus speaks of in His prayer in John 17.
John 17:22-23 (ESV Strong’s)
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me
This gift is no small thing to be taken lightly, but an awesome gift to be cherished and nourished. To ignore this gift is to ignore God and to ignore Him is rejecting our very life available only through believing in His Son Jesus. Paul speaks of our salvation as running a race in 1 Corinthians 9.
1 Corinthians 9
This race that Paul speaks of is a life or death race for a single prize. That prize is eternal life with God, the creator of all things. I like the way he describes it beginning in verse 24.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV Strong’s)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Those first verses in this passage are so powerful. In 26-27 I am reminded that the race is never over. Each step I take has a purpose and none of my actions should be meaningless, but purposeful. My body must be disciplined. Verse 27 is sobering.
1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV Strong’s)
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Now that is a bit of a jolt, isn’t it? Paul recognizes that he must live a disciplined life as well, but this does not diminish grace. I like how Paul explained it in Romans 6
Romans 6
In Romans 6 Paul talks about what happened when we came to the Lord. He speaks of the transformation. First, he speaks about the death, burial, and resurrection.
Romans 6:1-5 (ESV Strong’s)
Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his
Then he speaks of the impact on us.
Romans 6:6-8 (ESV Strong’s)
6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
If all this has happened and we are a new creature in Christ Jesus how could we ever squander that gift? How can we let down our guard or stop spiritual nourishment? It seems that it would be impossible to do, but we do; even Paul does. You can find that in Romans 7 starting around the thirteenth verse, and that is even more reason for the armor.
Reflections
As I ponder all this flood of thoughts and emotion come over me. I am not my own. I was bought at a price.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV Strong’s)
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
This command is not something that you can do on your own and the adversary is going to do all he can to discourage you from doing it. He will lie, cheat and steal to accomplish his goal to silence God’s children and without the Armor of God or the unity of the Church we become an easy target.
Ephesians 6
The Armor of God is clearly defined in Ephesians 6. There Paul explains each piece.
Ephesians 6:13-18 (ESV Strong’s)
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
And why do we need this armor?
Ephesians 6:10-12 (ESV Strong’s)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Without these things Paul explains, we will not be able to stand against the “schemes of the devil.” That is very sobering, and to put all of these on we need to know where to find them, and that is in prayerful study of God’s Word, led by the Spirit.
Closing Thoughts
It is not enough to simply read the Bible and understand the text. We need to prayerfully seek to know God through His Word led by the Spirit. If we simply read God’s Word without first asking the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us to understand those things that we need in His Word every day, then we are missing so much.
As I ponder all of this, I cannot help but reflect on John 17:22-23
John 17:22-23 (ESV Strong’s)
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me
He also promised the Holy Spirit to the Apostles
John 14:15-17 (ESV Strong’s)
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Christ promised the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, but he also asked the Father to grant Him to all who believe in Him through the teachings of the Apostles beginning at John 17:20.
With all this we cannot afford to squander these gifts by ignoring them or treating them as a spare tire, parachute or that “break glass only in case of an emergency” thing they have by some fire alarms.
God’s Word must be our daily nourishment. As much a part of our day as taking in a breath of air. Prayer too must be equally important.
I know I fall short in both cases, but that is not an excuse, it is a shortcoming that I take to the Lord in prayer and repentance.
Just One More Thing…
The last point is that every issue whether it be a strength or a shortcoming can be addressed in God’s Word. I can find encouragement or corrective action. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, says it better than I can.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV Strong’s)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
I think that kind of puts a ribbon on things. God’s Word is the only source of absolute truth. You can find the answer to all issues that you might have, but do not limit the study to your view alone. It is good to meet with other believers to discuss God’s Word.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV Strong’s)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
I am so thankful for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the constant revelation in God’s Holy Word.
Prayer
Father, thank you for it all. Every breath, every step, every thought and every opportunity to see you in Your Holy Word. I give thanks for the courage you give me to share it every day. To you be the Glory God! In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!
Amen and thanks, Dan! Merry CHRISTmas in CHRIST!