In the New Testament we are referred to as God's temple both in the singular and in the plural. In other words, each of us individually is God's temple and we are to treat our bodies as such, and the church is God's temple and we are to treat each other as such. I Corinthians, the text for today's devotion, focuses on the church as God's temple. It is such a wonderful image and sounds so good, but is so difficult to pull off! As Levison comments about the church he grew up in, he notes that they split up over what kind of music--instrumental or a cappella--is appropriate to worship. What about things that we believe strongly? What if they are being denied? The church has splintered hundreds, even thousands of times over some major and significant issues and many minor issues. There is the phrase that you may have heard: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials diversity; in all things charity. It sounds good, but the problem is that we can't agree on what is essential and what is non-essential.
It is clear, though, that the Spirit creates unity, and it is our own sinfulness, finitude, and weakness that creates divisions. His closing prayer is excellent.
It is clear, though, that the Spirit creates unity, and it is our own sinfulness, finitude, and weakness that creates divisions. His closing prayer is excellent.
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