In the contemporary era, edifices of structural significance such as Cathedrals are commonly recognized as sacred places where the presence of God prevails. During ancient times, the Temple held a paramount status amongst the Jewish community, representing the most sacred sanctuary where individuals would undergo purification rituals before entering its Holy place.
Notably, Solomon’s Temple featured an impressive Copper Sea, possessing a remarkable capacity to contain 17,430 gallons of water. Functioning as a vessel for priestly purification, this Copper Sea played a crucial role in the sacred cleansing ceremonies. Additionally, the temple housed ten smaller copper basins mounted on carts, which were evidently filled from the Copper Sea. These basins played a vital role in facilitating the ceremonial cleansing practices observed by devout adherents during the Old Testament period.
Even in the present day, individuals remain mindful of the significance of purifying themselves externally prior to handling the Bible or entering sacred places. The act of physically cleansing oneself serves as an initial step towards opening up to God’s spiritual cleansing within.
Head Of The Church
It is not uncommon to focus on the leaders of our local churches, inadvertently overlooking the head of the universal Church. However, we must not forget that according to biblical teachings, Jesus assumes the role of the ultimate mediator. He holds the prestigious title of being the head of all those who believe in God. As the first to rise from the dead, Jesus serves as a pioneer, leading the way and urging us to follow His example in order to gain entrance into the Kingdom of God.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV)
When God unveiled Jesus to Peter, Jesus declared His intention to establish His church upon Peter (Matthew 16:18). In this context, Jesus was not referring to any man-made edifices or the mere congregating of believers. Many misunderstand the concept of the church, often perceiving it as a physical structure or a gathering of worshippers. However, what Jesus conveyed to Peter applies to every individual who, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, recognizes Jesus as their Redeemer. Once the Holy Spirit unveils Jesus to us, He takes up residence in our hearts, sanctifying our bodies and transforming them into His sacred dwelling place.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
Jesus used a metaphor to illustrate the significance of the new church. He compared it to the temple, a physical structure that housed God’s presence. When Jesus spoke of rebuilding the temple in three days, He wasn’t referring to the literal building but to his own body. Jesus indicated that He would rise again after being crucified, as the Father dwelled within Him. This promise of resurrection is extended to all who possess the Holy Spirit, ensuring eternal life in the presence of the Holy God.
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Romans 8:11 (NIV)
The Purchase of God
When an individual enters into a pact with the devil, the privileges bestowed upon them are relinquished to the devil. Once such a transaction is made, redemption from eternal death becomes an arduous task, as the vessel of the Holy Spirit, the human body, becomes occupied by unholy spirits. Therefore, Jesus, took the form of sinful man in order to redeem and restore humanity to its original Godly image, as designed by our Creator.
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4 (NIV)
In the realm of spiritual transformation, it is imperative to acknowledge that prior to the redemptive work of Christ, human flesh had been rendered vulnerable and corrupted by the influence of sin, with the power of sin being expressly associated with adherence to the law (1 Corinthians 15:56).
However, Jesus, assuming the likeness of humanity burdened by sin, chose to consecrate Himself through obedience to the Word of God, thereby effecting our sanctification (John 17:19). By willingly surrendering His life to fulfill the will of His Father, Jesus underwent crucifixion, with God graciously accepting His sacrificial offering on our behalf. As the precious blood flowed from the consecrated body of Jesus, free from any blemish of sin, God, in His boundless mercy, emancipated us from the clutches of evil, liberating us from the dominion of our former oppressor.
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Acts 20:28 (NIV)
Sexual Immorality
The issue of sexual immorality has the potential to corrupt our bodies and make them impure. It affects all individuals until they gain the wisdom necessary to confront it in the eyes of God. Examples of sexual immorality include illicit relationships, incest and sexual abuse, which are often committed in private, disregarding the presence of God, whose holiness prevents Him from looking upon such acts of evil (Habakkuk 1:13).
If we have our omnipresent God, who resides in our hearts and always in our minds, this will deter us from committing immoral acts, that we are ashamed to talk about publicly. If we keep the truth in mind, that God has purchased our bodies, we might seek His permission to implement anything. Who will dare to seek His approval to surrender our bodies again to sin, from which He delivered us? Do we ever dare to ask His consent? Often we are lured by our own lustful desires and make lame excuses to fulfill them.
As far as committing sins is concerned, it does not demand any special skill, but anyone can commit them. Paul addresses this issue two times in his epistles to the church of Corinth. At one place he said, I could also do everything, but it would not be fitting to my new life. At another place, he said It would hamper my spiritual growth. Unlike him, we often succumb to this kind of challenge that emerges within us.
One more reason for sexual immorality is watching absurd scenes in movies or in magazines and making fantasies out of it (Romans 7:11). We can find people who are obsessed with watching pornographies, later completely possessed by various kinds of evil spirits. Unholy deeds pave the way for the devil to enter our hearts. Jesus suggests plucking our eyes if it hinders our entry to His Kingdom. Is it not better to avoid bad influences instead of plucking God-given eyes?
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NIV)
Why Did God Choose to Purchase Us?
We consider the place of worship as holy and purify ourselves externally as we enter sacred places. If we recognize ourselves as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, then it becomes even more vital to purify our thoughts, emotions, and spirits. Ordinary water alone cannot suffice to cleanse us inwardly, but rather, it is the precious blood of Jesus that is the sole source of inward purification.
God desires to dwell not only in the celestial realm but also within our purified hearts. Hence, our bodies become temples of God, and Scripture warns us that those who defile His temple will themselves be destroyed (1 Corinthians 3:17).
No one comprehended the meaning of this verse, persistently tarnishing their bodies through continuous engagement in sexual immorality for the sake of deriving pleasure. Almost four decades ago, the field of medical science provided substantiation through the identification of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as a chronic and potentially life-threatening condition resulting from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The scripture not only highlights the pollution of our physical bodies but also the contamination of our souls dwelling within them.
Our physical bodies are marvelously transformed by Jesus to serve as a sacred dwelling place for God Himself. It is through the sacrificial blood of Jesus that God chose to redeem us from our sins and permanently reside within us. This incredible transaction, orchestrated by God, demonstrates the unfathomable depths of His love and grace.
Hence, we should not be mistaken by thinking that our souls are going to be with God, while our body goes to dust. When God bought it with the precious blood of His Son, it is true that He will glorify our body in a different attire. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).”
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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