March 9: Living 3:16 - Where God Is at Home

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Half a century ago when both life and language were less cluttered, we used to make a clear distinction between a house and a home. The house referred to the building, whereas home spoke of the people. That distinction we made gradually eroded. Real estate agents found it easier to sell a home than a house. Further, nobody would be interested in buying a "motor house." The motor home sounds more, well, homey. For our purposes we will think of the home in terms of people, not physical structures. The Bible, however, used the physical components as symbols of spiritual realities.

On the most fundamental level, the place where God is at home must have its foundation laid in Christ Jesus (3:9-11). He is the rock bottom strata on which the entire Christian building is constructed. The Bible calls the earth God's footstool (Isa. 66:1; Mt. 5:35; Acts 7:49). In that case, the heavens are His throne. To be sure God's Presence, His glory, filled the tabernacle (Exod. 40:35) and eventually the temple (1 Kg. 8:10-11). But the ripping of the temple veil at the crucifixion of Jesus (Mk. 15:38; Mt. 27:51; Lk. 23:45) signified the transferring of the glory from the temple. The appearance of the tongues of fire at Pentecost initiated God's anointing of the new temple, the church. Jesus is its foundation.

Second, this new place where God is at home must be constructed with spiritual stones (vv. 12-15). In looking closely at the six kinds of building materials to be used, each has its own function. The first three, gold, silver, and precious stones, can have their place in earthly temples. Solomon's temple offers a good example. Further, wood, hay, and straw could be used in humble structures, such as the adobe buildings in the American west. The problem lies in the fact the two categories are not compatible with the kind of temple God is now constructing. Neither of the six will pass God's "fire test." His standard will be applied on the Day, the time when our Lord evaluates the work of His servants. The wise builders will be rewarded. The unwise will be saved, but their burned works will testify to their foolish labors (v. 15).

However, the construction we have studied relates to the corporate structure, the church in its broad sense. The Bible also has standards for the individuals who make up the church. Because a chain is no stronger than its weakest link, the local church cannot rise above the moral level of its members.

Each member has the obligation to test his or her actions according to God's calling (6:12-13). The freedom not to obey dietary laws carries a responsibility. The newfound freedom can be abused. Being able to eat any food may not contribute to good health. Some deeds, innocent in themselves, may prove to be disastrous if involvement in them becomes an obsession. One is then in subjection to the activity (v. 12).

The Bible illustrates the point by questioning eating habits. The old dietary laws have been fulfilled in Christ, but the stomach should not dictate one's daily schedule. Nor should the sex life lapse into sexual promiscuity. In everything, depend on one's calling to decide what is best for the body.

It comes down to this, a holy church depends on holy bodies (vv. 18-20). Illicit sexual activity is a sin against the body. Such acts ignore a fundamental spiritual truth that the body, not just the church, is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the believers. God exercises a prior claim on the body. Every believer was bought at a price. The unstated payment was Christ's death on the cross to atone for sin. Sins against the body, such as fornication, belittle the priceless death of the Son of God. Therefore, it is not enough to speak of a sanctified spirit without presenting the body a living sacrifice. Both body and spirit belong to God.