Self-esteem. "You are special." This cultural mantra ignores the fact that, made in God's image, we have an identity of inestimable uniqueness and potential - communion with the Godhead - Father, Son and Spirit.
We Really Are Special!
November 6, 2008
George Smeaton has a book on the Holy Spirit in which he explores the sublime possibilities of the human soul and the divine, that from the start we were made to be the very temple of the Holy Sprit!
"From the narrative of creation, brief but suggestive which is given in Genesis, the great thought is derived that, according to the constitution which God was pleased to give to the first man among the creatures of His hand, not only was a federal unity assigned to him as the head of the race, but a relation to the whole Trinity which comes to light, in his being made in the image of God."
"That he not only bore a likeness to God's perfections in his mental, moral and religious constitution, but that he was placed in a peculiarly close relation to all the persons of the Trinity, that is in a conscious personal relation to all the divine Persons - is clearly intimated in the words: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Genesis 1:26
And so Adam enjoyed the best possible communion with the Godhead - for a brief shining moment....
"The Spirit departed from the human family when Adam gave ear to the tempter's seducing words; and the restoration by the second man implies the possession of the Spirit by the first."
That we have this capacity to house God himself is picked up Paul.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of he Holy Spirit, who is in you , whom you have received from God? 1 Corinthians 6:19
And in 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 Paul exposes the heart of God - Emmanuel, God with us, in our very hearts.
We are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
What does Paul then conclude? Do some house cleaning, that's what. Makae your heart a comfortable place for the Spirit to dwell.
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1