Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.      Psalm 119:105

Recommended Reading: II CORINTHIANS 5 “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:³ If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.⁴ For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.⁵ Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.⁶ Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)⁸ We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.⁹ Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.¹¹ Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.¹² For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.¹³ For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.¹⁴ For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:¹⁵ And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.¹⁶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

COMMENTS:  Some teaching in scripture appears to be straight forward and clear but the more we study and learn, the more complicated and confusing we make it.    Let’s take a dive into this scripture and see what we discover.  First of all, we realize our human bodies are God’s temple but one day we will reside in a perfect permanent body (temple) while in our perfect permanent home (heaven).  

We are still writing our legacy and making choices that will be judged.  This part is where we can easily be confused.  If we are forgiven by accepting Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, then what is the impact of our actions and conduct and thoughts being judged?  Can we do any and all evil we want without consequence?   Will the impact of doing good be realized by us be judged and realized by us as well?  What difference will it mean if we are already forgiven?  Let’s take a slow walk staying close to scripture so we will be careful to understand what scripture is saying and not speculate or draw conclusions beyond what scripture is saying.   That will likely mean we will have to leave some unanswered questions unanswered but that will be far better than making erroneous conclusions.

Verse 7 then tells us up front we live by faith.  That means living and acting in obedience to God trusting Him without fully understanding or comprehending fully where He is leading and without knowing obstacles and challenges that will be encountered and without understanding both the rewards and consequences of following or not following Him.  Faith means trusting God more than our own wills or emotions or thinking.    Realizing this helps us filter the following verses with clearer insight, so let’s stop and reflect so we get some direction first. 

We live in God’s temple, our bodies.  Our bodies are mortal, corrupted by personal sin and sin caused by satan’s temptation that Adam and Eve yielded to.  But how we use and honor God using our human bodies is how we worship and witness of Christ’s redemption and Divinity and Authority.  Our bodies were created by Him for us perfect even though corrupted by sin.  Proper worship requires seeking and following the Holy Spirit and recognizing Who we worship and how we worship Him must be guided by the Holy Spirit and judged against scripture.  Stop and think He accepts our imperfect Worship from an imperfect body and mind but filtered through Christ as perfect and acceptable.  THAT IS AWESOME AND PRICELESS.  WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT.  OUR WOSHIP IS WHAT HE DESIRES AND WHAT WE DESPERATELY NEED TO GIVE.  By calling for worship from His temple and identify our bodies as His temple, He is telling us it is acceptable for us to worship Him anytime and anyplace since we reside in our bodies all the time.  That also means, we need to be careful because we dishonor Him when we sin and neglect and fail to worship Him in our bodies.   Going to church to worship Him is called for in scripture.  To gather together as believers to unite in worship together was done often with the early Christians.  They didn’t have a devoted building so they worshipped where they could.   So, this scripture is also telling us He doesn’t require a devoted building to worship in but does require us to worship Him both alone and together.   We build churches for a number of good reasons.  To give a place removed from the world’s distractions to aid in worship.  To give a place visible place for seekers to come to join with other believers.  To provide a place to aid and minister in a variety of ways.   But effective worship and ministry are not limited to inside the walls of the church building nor should they.

I often think congregations are eager to spend large sums of money to build a magnificent building because church strength can afford to and anticipation of continued growth for sees the need for such, but often achievement of such results in stagnation and diminish of vision and numbers, resulting in   building becoming a financial burden instead of blessing.

The first century model may likely be the best and closest to God’s direction. I tend to think the money put into impressive structures could go far spreading the Gospel and ministry to poor and needy.   Yet, I am reminded Christ criticizing Judas for complaining when the harlot washed Jesus feet with expensive perfume instead of selling that perfume and giving money to the poor.    So even building a large church can be blessed by God if the Holy Spirit approves plan and timing.  Knowing God’s Will is essential but knowing God’s timing is equally essential.  Neither dare be presumed.  Well, worship (both alone and corporately) prepares us to receive God’s instruction and timing.                                                                                                        We can debate different good deeds and evil deeds make on us in heaven.   God’s grace is sufficient to forgive our sins, but we are warned not to deliberately continue in sin thinking God will continue to give us grace and forgiveness after salvation is first granted.  “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”  ROMANS 6:1-2.

Is there a point of deliberate sinning when we will forfeit our salvation and heaven, and face God’s judgment?  Some would say no, either by lacking sincere repentance or never repenting.   Others would say such a forfeit is not accidental or even out of neglect but only by deliberately and persistently turning from God’s nudge and warnings., like the Israelites would turn from God and to idols and pagan since and refusing to repent and worship God.  Even some would say salvation can be lost by neglect, like King Saul or King David for a time after his sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. 

My position is, it is folly to debate this.  I see it like a group of blind men near the edge of a cliff debating where the edge is and slowing stepping in that direction to prove the other is wrong.  Reality is why not get as far away from the edge we can and focus on curing our blindness so no need to worry about that edge.  Is that not what is more important and what the above scripture is telling us? Why would we receive such a wonderful priceless gift of an eternal body and home in heaven and repay our Lord by continuing our old sinful life?   Why would we not want to share His Good News and strive to live as He lived.  Good deeds are not a requirement to enter heaven but they will serve to bring our Lord joy and give us the sense of fulfillment knowing someone is there because we invited him?   Scripture tells us our good deeds will earn us a crown but we will then lay those crowns in honor and worship at Jesus’ feet to honor Him.   What if we have no crowns to give Him?  Would that be worth continuing in sin while on earth?  I am certain not! 

Do you need light on your path? Turn to God’s Word for light enough to take the next step.

“Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.” V. Raymond Edman

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