Biblical Keys
Problem:
The temples of our lives are in ruins because we have been serving our own selfish ambitions and futile ways and not walking in God’s ways. If we, as the children of God, are the temple of God as God has said, then the state of our temple is something to consider. We must consider our ways!!!
Haggai 1:2-11”Consider your ways.”
A few examples of the curses we live under because our ways are not aligned to God’s ways include:
a) The Curse through Bloodshed and Violence
• Story of Cain and Abel
• Many examples in Africa
• Isaiah 59:3 “For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity.”
b) The Curse of a Short Life
When God created mankind, his blueprint was that we would live forever with Him in heartfelt relationship. It is very clear from scripture that the lifespan of man was firstly limited after the fall of man in the garden of Eden, and reduced even further as a result of the wickedness of man before the flood. However, mankind continues to stray from relationship with God and instead chooses to walk in his own wicked ways and as a result, this limited lifespan is shortened even further.
Proverbs 10:27 “The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.”
Psalm 34:12 “Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Depart from evil and do good.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
c) The Curse on What the Land Produces (poor yields)
In Haggai it is interesting to read that it is God who is the One to withhold the rain and the produce from the ground.
Solution: Restoring the Temple
In our efforts to find the Godly solutions to difficult questions like the abject poverty around us, we begin by considering our ways for we are the temple of the living God.
When each of us make the effort to consider our ways, change our own lives and influence the lives of our families and communities, we can collectively make a significant difference in our nations.
1 Peter 2:5 “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Haggai 2:18-19 “Do consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month; from the day when the temple of the Lord was founded, consider: Is the seed still in the barn? Even including the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree, it has not borne fruit. Yet from this day on I will bless you.’ ”
1 Thessalonians 2:12 “….walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 “God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "and do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you, and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me," says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
Let us as His sons and daughters be committed to rebuild the temple of God in our lives, by considering our ways and aligning them to God’s ways, not just in Spirit, but in mind and body as well.