Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Honoring the Body as Temple of the Lord
Psalms 1: 1-6

Dr. Eapen Daniel,
Trinity MTC, Houston, Texas.

"for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."

Theoretically and theologically, per many ancient and modern religious beliefs, the goal of any temple is to bring the un-manifest and un-seen source of eternal power into existence - to help its entry into our minds realm of worldly existence. The Biblical perspective also aligns with this thought. Per the Vedic explanations, the innermost sanctum – our mind, represents the final of the seven best characters of behavioral habits culminating to the full sanctification – which is a gateway to higher intuition, inspiration and information about God, our only source of internal power.
In Romans 8:9, it is clearly stated that those who do not belong to Christ do not have the Spirit of Christ residing in them. Thus, their bodies are not a temple of the Lord. Remember the old saying, “A house becomes a home when someone dwells in it, or call it their home sweet home”. In other words, an empty house is just house, NOT a home. That is why Paul was urging the brothers and sisters of Rome to offer their bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which the ultimate worship or in Sanskrit term - the ultimate ‘Upasana’.
In the given reference of Psalms 1, the verses start with “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night”. Once you read many of the Psalms, one can clearly say that many verses, especially ones of David, were expressions of minds that went through troubles and tribulations and later realized the peaceful presence of the Everlasting God, which comforted them more than anything.
Jesus spoke of an intimate communion with humans and Him, stating "Abide in me, and I in you. . . . I am the vine, you are the branches”, which in fact is another reference of our subject matter. Just like a light bulb can only shine, when it is connected to a remote power source, we are to be in communion with our Lord to shine for others and the world, by dedicating our mind to be His dwelling place. With all the worldly temptations, it takes special energy for one to be in tune with the heavenly, in line with the Godly, and to be a branch that yields much fruit.

PRAYER

Lord, give us the strength to resist what is unclean and to reinforce what is pleasing to You. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. " Romans 12:1

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