Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? … For God’s temple is sacred and you are that temple” I Corinthians 3:16,17
When we think of the word “sacred”, we might think; Presence of God; Reverence; God’s sanctuary. All have been universal values in the body of Christ since the beginning of the church. The point Paul makes is that the church as a whole is sacred. Of course he is not talking about a place, but a group! We should not take this for granted. This is the group emphasis rather than the individual emphasis he refers to in Chapter 6. Collectively, we are the temple of God. From the word sacred we get the word sacrament.
Sacraments (actions that connect us with God’s grace) have been part of the church since its beginning. In the Book of Acts, for example, we see the first believers being baptized into Christ, and then continuing in “the apostles’ teaching (today the Bible), in the breaking of bread (communion and other common meals), in the fellowship (with the Spirit’s presence) and in prayers.” Acts 2:42. These are all means of encountering God’s grace. (You could add “laying on of hands” for healing or for ordination.)
Has the church become so simplified today that we neglect such sacraments? Some churches barely mention baptism or communion. Some churches have good praise but don’t teach the concept of entering into God’s presence in the Holy of Holies where Jesus intercedes for us (Hebrews 9:11-15). All of these truths need to be taught so that we don’t lose their significance and power.
That being said, I am glad to be part of a church that gives recognition to these important spiritual activities which are indeed sacred. While we are more casual in worship that we used to be, let us not become too casual about entering the Lord’s presence to worship “in spirit and in truth”. It is our calling to holiness to hold some things sacred rather than common. Let us not lose the sense of awe when believers meet together to hear God’s Word, share in the body and blood of Jesus and witness to the cleansing power symbolized by baptism. May we always realize the power to change lives by encountering Jesus in these ways. Most of us realize the incredible encouragement that comes from gathering together. Many have experienced that joy of fellowship in fresh ways since COVID kept us from gathering.
No wonder the writer to the Hebrews also says, “And let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” (10:25) Let us resist the tendency to only encounter Jesus digitally. That is neither the whole experience, nor the nourishment that He intended for us.
Lord, we cry holy, holy, holy, along with the believers who praise you. Thank you that the activities of worship remind us of your holiness and that you are sacred. Forgive us for ever making such things common or neglecting their meaning. Remind us that sacred activities are the way of coming into your presence. Lord, remind us that each sacred activity was given by you for our benefit!
Lord, we also realize that there are fellow believers around the world who cannot worship together the way they would like because of persecution. Some cannot sing your praises for fear of being found out. Forgive us for taking our freedom for granted. Renew us as we celebrate baptisms and communion when we gather together. In Jesus’ Name.