Verse of the Day 5/4

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Don't you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you,whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

I was in a study group earlier this week that had just started going through Mark Labberton's book "Called to Flourish".  When I read the following quote it really struck me.  He writes, "Today in a staggeringly complex and diverse world, the overarching biblical narrative that includes creation, fall, redemption and fulfillment has frequently been rejected and denied.  The issues seem too many and the evidence too little for them.  The secular, street level view seems the most reliable: Humanity is here on it's own".

Year by year, even day by day, it is easy to see that we live in a staggeringly complex and diverse world and I agree with his statement about  the "worlds" view of the Christian "narrative" is rejected and denied, I would add to that opposed.  There is a growing opposition and even animosity to Christian faith and the gospel message.  The commonly accepted position as mentioned was that the world and everything in it is here on it's own.  The Bible tells us something different.

As I read the statement and these thoughts came to mind, today's verse came to mind.  The world is not it's own and it is not here on it's own.  God created it, brought it into being and still is in control.  Not only that, in all the chaos around us that has its roots in the rejection of Him, He has already paid the price for it's deliverance, it's salvation through the life giving sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us.

We are called to glorify God in our bodies.  It goes back to those thoughts of being holy, being set apart by God for His works for which we have been created to do (Ephesians 2:10).  Our bodies are God's sanctuary, His dwelling place here on earth.  Our lives should be examples of the fact that we are not here on our own.  If that were the case life would have no point, no meaning.  But it has a point and it has meaning and we are to be God's instruments in letting the world know that there is meaning, there is hope, there is a bright future, one that goes far beyond this lifetime and into eternity.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Corinthians 6:19-20Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁹ Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,

²⁰ You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for,made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.