Read Romans 8:9

9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) (NLT)

It was common some years ago for people to regard the church building as the house of God. Very much like the temple in Jerusalem was seen as the earthly dwelling place of God. While it is right to respect church buildings as places where we meet to encounter God and encourage one another, we dare not confine his presence to such places.

The New Testament seems to see God’s earthly dwelling place as the individuals who belong to him through Jesus. God’s Spirit lives in all Christians not just the elite few. God seems content enough to indwell imperfect people whose lives are messy and inconstant. We don’t have to tidy up our ‘house’ to have the God of the universe come to stay with us.

And our God is no temporary tenant. He won’t leave in disgust in order to find some better dwelling places. He has permanent residency. This comforting news can also lead to discomfort. While God is willing and able to live in our imperfect selves, he doesn’t just sit back and take it easy. He is at heart a home renovator. He accepts us just as we are but thinks too much of us to leave us just as we are.

One other implication of our being ‘houses of God’. It may well change the way we look at our fellow believers. Whatever we may think of them, they have God living in them.

Blessings
David Reay

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