Today's guest post is from Premgin Skaria Babu - an engineer originally from India, but now living in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai).  In his own words, Premgin says "I believe what makes me different is the love Jesus Christ showed me on the Cross - to die for an unworthy kid like me."  If you too are interested in guest posting on my blog, please visit my Guest Post guidelines for more info.

“You are the Temple of God.” I am? Really? What does that mean?

I didn’t know what to make of it when I first heard that I am the temple of God. I go to church, attend spiritual meetings and retreats – but have I been treating the "Temple of God" in the right manner? Am I keeping it holy as God desires?

I think the vast majority of people who live away from God do so because they have never understood who they are and how precious they are in God’s sight. But the Holy Bible make this clear:

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

What a privilege we have! A privilege to bear the Holy Spirit within us! Yes, we are precious – we are the temples of God. And we must treat our bodies as such.

How would you feel if someone came into your home, threw garbage all over it and then left it as is? How would you feel if someone treated your home with disrespect and carelessness? If that would anger you, then how should God feel when we are careless and disrespectful with His temple?

I wonder how God feels when He sees His children involved in acts of unrighteousness in their bodies – like drinking, smoking, fornication, gossiping, etc. Even the lesser vices like what we watch on TV or look at online or talk about at work – how does He feel about those things happening in His temple?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Let us pray today and decide that from this day I will be a new creation in Christ. A new creation that will strive to abide by His standards and not the world’s standards. A new creation that will seek to obey His Word and live according to His laws – not according to what is commonly accepted today. Let us decide that today we will live as the temple of God.

“Abba, Father, I love you so much and I know that you love me too. I am sorry that I have been influenced by the worldly pleasures and have submitted myself to the sins of ___________. I wish to be a new creation in You Father. Cleanse me with Your Blood and make me whiter than snow.

Today I promise that I will strive to walk purely and avoid my sinful and impure ways. Use me for Your will and help me to keep my body as a living sacrifice in which You are proud to dwell. Let me be transformed so that I may understand Your will and Your ways. Thank You for being my loving Father. I love You and I will keep on loving You forever. Amen.”

For discussion: how does it make you feel to know that you are the “temple of God”?