Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 TEMPERANCE DAY

BODY: THE TEMPLE OF GOD TO BE KEPT IN HOLINESS 
Psalms 1:1-6

V3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and
their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 
 

 The importance of living holy lives is emphasized throughout the Bible.  St. Paul writes about the importance of living a pure life in 1 Corinthians 6. Verse 15 asks the question, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?”  In addition, verse 19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.”  We are reminded that indeed we don’t belong to ourselves. As a believer, we must be cognizant of the fact that we have been bought with the blood of the Lamb and we no longer belong to ourselves. We are called to live pure and Holy lives that are solely to glorify God. 
The temple metaphor is a very appropriate metaphor because we see in the Old Testament, God gave detailed instructions regarding the creation of both the tabernacle and the temple. Even in the New Testament, the one time we see Jesus becoming clearly angry was when he saw the misuse of the temple and he proceeded to clear the temple area saying, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” In the same way if the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are called as Christians to use our bodies in accordance with the intention that God created it with. If we live impure lives we are directly sinning against the body which we have been told doesn’t belong to us. 
How can we live a life that is worthy of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? Psalm 119:9 asks and answers that question.  “How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” It sounds simple enough but it’s a daily struggle that requires living a disciplined Christian life. Prayer, fasting, and studying the word of God will certainly keep one on the straight path. Psalm 1 says that living a pure life is a life of blessedness. Those who live righteously are compared to a tree planted by streams of water. The leaves do not wither and we will be able to live fruitful lives 
Let us put our full faith and trust in God to guide us to be able to live pure and holy lives. Let us conclude with the lyrics of a contemporary Christian song as our prayer.  
 

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, “Holiness is what I long for. Holiness is what I need. Holiness is what you want from me. Take my heart and form it. Take my mind, transform it. Take my will conform it to yours, O Lord.” Amen.
Amen.

Mr Vivin Varughese

The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island

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