\u201cDear God, please ruin me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Doesn\u2019t sound like a prayer any of us would say, does it? However, there is clear indication in Scripture that some Christians may actually be inviting God to do just that by their actions and attitudes.<\/p>\n
Before we continue, we need to understand something. Those who say the Bible isn\u2019t relevant to contemporary culture need to realize that the immorality of our world today is identical to what was present in first century Corinth. Paul\u2019s first letter to the Corinthians is firmly founded on God\u2019s truth and was written to a church in a pagan culture permeated with sensuality, violence, corruption, divisions and doctrinal heresy.<\/p>\n
The Corinthians were an immature body of believers, filled with divisive debates, compromise, immorality, favoritism, anger, bitterness, slander, spiritual arrogance and lawsuits. They apparently did not understand the significance of their chaotic fellowship in the eyes of the Lord. Paul reminds them in chapter three that he cannot address them as mature because they are still \u201cfleshly.\u201d Their behavior reflected their culture rather than spiritual maturity that would have morally distinguished them.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you know that you are God\u2019s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you?\u201d Paul asked them in 1 Corinthians 3:16. \u201cIf anyone ruins God\u2019s sanctuary, God will ruin him; for God\u2019s sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are two Greek words for \u201csanctuary\u201d in the New Testament. One defines the entire temple complex. The other, found in this text, refers to the innermost dwelling place, the Holy of Holies. Think of it; believers are the Holy of Holies for the Holy Spirit. What an awesome thought!<\/p>\n
But here is the ignored part of these verses: \u201cSanctuary\u201d is singular, but \u201cyou\u201d is plural. Every believer is a temple of God, and that is the way we usually interpret this verse. However the church itself — the body of believers — is a temple of God. The church is holy just as individuals are holy, and God jealously guards that which is holy.<\/p>\n
Collectively, we are God\u2019s sanctuary. The individual who fails to act rightly toward the body of believers is guilty of rebellion against God. The verb \u201cruin\u201d is repeated in 1 Corinthians 3:17. The punishment here is not an arbitrary decision. The believer who promotes divisions, turmoil, chaos and disruption within the fellowship of the church \u201cruins\u201d or desecrates the Holy of Holies of God and thus invites personal destruction from God.<\/p>\n
This ancient message is contemporary and tragically relevant. Our churches are surrounded by pagan culture and filled with many problems, not all of them theological. We must take personal responsibility for our actions in the fellowship of God\u2019s sanctuary which is the church. Only then can we make a global impact on our world. If our churches are to be change agents reaching the lost instead of members-only country clubs, we must stop ruining the fellowship of the church.<\/p>\n
Southern Baptists have taken a stand upon the truth of God\u2019s Word. However, we find everywhere in the churches of our convention dissensions, divisions, slander, anger, bitterness and continual fighting over control and authority within the church. We are inviting ruin.<\/p>\n
We have a choice of two prayers: \u201cLord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,\u201d or, \u201cDear God, please ruin me!\u201d Which are you praying?<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
[Original illustration at this number was moved to HolwickID #1821]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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