"Do you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" -- 1 Corinthians 3:16
In the Bible, we are told many times by Jesus and by Paul that the kingdom of God is within us and that God's spirit dwells within us. And yet, I hear some Christians talk about how we are nothing but wretched sinners and worms of the dust. They do not seem to want to acknowledge our divinity. Yes, we have a human aspect, and none of us is without faults. We have weaknesses and make mistakes and do things that we regret. But I have never heard a fundamentalist Christian talk about the goodness of mankind--the fact that we are not only flesh and bone, but that we are temples of God; that God dwells within each of us, even though we may not be aware of it. How much more empowering and inspiring is that?
If you are a teacher in school, do you focus on the mistakes of your pupils and tell them how wretched they are? Would you do that to your own children? We have all heard of the self-fulfilling prophecy. What you expect from people and the way you treat them will determine what you get in return. Those students that are treated as being unintelligent and incapable of learning prove it by doing less well than those who are told they are bright, brilliant and capable.
So how do you see yourself? "Wretched Sinner" or "God's Temple"? Or maybe it's both. Share your thoughts.
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Comments: 22
It is ALL about EGO perceptions ... IMnsHO.
It simply means whole and complete in every way ... something we all will be simply by accepting the Spirit of God that does reside right INside of each of us ... that is what God created us for ... with that "partnership" with God we will be perfect ! (at least in God's eyes ... and what could be more important).
So, maybe we are all in a state of sin because we haven't fully understood, but it shouldn't make us miserable because of His grace. Jesus said what is important is to seek the Kingdom of God...... or keep searching diligently for God.
I feel that within me is a part of the Divine Essence, the Creator, or whatever one might call it. There is a part of this in each of the creations, whether it is man, beast, plant, animal or rock, indeed, the entire planet, galaxy and universe.
We are part of the whole.
Hugs and blessings from Moscow - S.
2.) God loves me anyway.
3.) Who am I to stop him?
4.) I am made uniquely and specially by the Father.
5.) That is awesome and wonderful.
6.) I am eternally in debt and grateful and full of praise.
7.) I am dedicating my life, therefore, to the Lord my Savior.
So I guess both.
I'm a SINNER saved by the Grace of God, The Father and His Holy Son Jesus Christ, who love me unconditionally even if at times I didn't love them the same.
His word has strengthened me and I have since matured but I am still a sinner saved by the Grace of God.
To me what is important in Christ's ministry is not His death and resurrection and the free pass being offered into paradise in exchange for belief (not for good deeds and behaviour but simply for belief, despite your actions and what you hold in your heart for your fellow man). Rather it is the message He came to convey: "Love one another as I have loved you"; "the meek shall inherit the Earth"; "when you did this to the least of these, my brethren, you did it also to me".
Being good, doing good, loving one another is what matters. Getting into paradise because you prayed and payed every Sunday despite being a bastard to everyone and holding hatred, fear, suspicion and judgement in your heart for almost everyone is not -- to me -- what being a Christian is all about.