Coffee With The Lord

“I’m sorry!” (or simply “Sorry!” … Body language and vocal inflection says a lot about how sincere those words are!  But even more important is what is sometimes referred to by the adage, “the proof is in the pudding” or perhaps another saying that emphasizes that words alone are simply not enough – there must be actions that demonstrate authentic sorrow and repentance!

In my Bible reading today (2 Corinthians 7:5-16)  Apostle Paul addressed a painful situation he had to deal with as a spiritual leader in a local church.  He had written a painful letter that dealt with the issue, giving direction that confronted the problem and prescribed the remedy.  He had waited with anticipation and prayerfulness to see what the response would be.  Paul was relieved and thrilled to receive a report from Titus, his representative, that the response was sincere and positive!

So what kind of “sorrow” (and repentance) makes a difference?  What satisfies God (and thrills those who are charged with the difficult task of spiritual leadership?  Here’s Apostle Paul’s wise commentary on the issue…

“I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways!  IT WAS THE KIND OF SORROW GOD WANTS HIS PEOPLE TO HAVE! … THE KIND OF SORROW GOD WANTS US TO EXPERIENCE LEADS US AWAY FROM SIN AND RESULTS IN SALVATION! There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.  Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right!”   (2 Corinthians 7:8–11 NLT)

I don’t know if you’ve ever been in a situation where you’ve been confronted with sin in your life – something you did (or failed to do) that was wrong!  I have!!!  It hurts – it’s painful – it’s embarrassing – it can make you mad!  Or it can lead you to repentance, healing and restoration!  If that’s your situation (or it has been in the past and is still unresolved) I suggest listening and responding positively to Apostle Paul’s advice.  I did! … And I’m the better for it!!!

From my Bible reading today… A prophetic Psalm celebrating the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah!

“May His name endure forever, His fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in Him, and all nations call Him blessed! Blessed be the Lord, Who alone does wondrous things! Blessed be His glorious name forever! May the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen! (From Psalm 72:17–19 ESV)

https://www.veranda.com/travel/g34338651/beautiful-temples-in-the-world/

Now it’s awesome when the Bible says “We are the temple of the Living God!” (2 Corinthians 6.16 NIV).   I’ve been in a few “temple” in my travels around the world.  Some of them are pretty special – as architectural marvels go they rank right up there at the top.  Beautifully furnished, exquisite craftsmanship, filled with art treasures, designed to create a sense of awe… but usually pretty empty…  they create a sense of “aloneness” rather than “community”. 

How different apostolic Christianity was… the ancient church had no building – no physical temples – that’s why Paul said “We are the temple”!  You could go into ancient Ephesus and ask for the “temple” and they would have given you the address of the opulent pagan “temple of Artemis or Diana,” an incredible, architectural marvel – one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – located on the edge of the city.  But if you would have asked the same question to apostle Paul he would tell you that it was located in a host of little house gatherings up and down the streets of Ephesus where ordinary people met as Christians every Lord’s Day (or any other time they got a chance).  In fact, his words in Ephesians go something like this…

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.   And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19–22 NIV)

Now, that why when I read 2 Corinthians 6.16 this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord,” I jotted these words in the margin of my Bible: “The second sentence in this verse makes the first sentence special!”  The second sentence goes like this: “As God has said, ‘I will live with them and will walk among them!  I will be their God and they will be My people!”  (quotation from Leviticus 26.11-12) In other words, if you’re going to have a temple you need God there!  God being there is what makes it a true temple!  Otherwise it’s just an expensive building. 

Gotta say, as a Christian I’m not very impressed with buildings… they’re ok, but they’re NEVER a temple from an apostolic perspective!  Put everything the Bible says about temples together… doesn’t matter, it was really GOD’S PRESENCE AMONG HIS PEOPLE  that made anything a temple.  Don’t know about you, but that’s what I want!  That’s what I’m seeking for!  That’s what I desire!  That’s what makes the difference!