peace . love . joy

Remember the Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock's thriller, Psycho (1960)? I didn't like it at all. I remember the opening sequence in which the Bates Motel was introduced: it was raining, and the viewer sees the first façades of the Motel through the rain-pelted, windscreen-wipin' Marion's windshield. It was dark and wet and cold. The long row of rooms was overshadowed by Norman Bates' house perched on the tippy-top of a nearby overlooking hill. Freaky. The office was laden with stuffed creatures, Marion's room was furnished with only the bare essentials... Not to mention, the basement in Norman's house on the hill was occupied by "Mother".

When I visited Berlin last year, I could not help but compare the Bates Motel and the Hotel Adlon Kempinski: what a contrast! I wouldn't dare to step into the compounds of the Bates Motel simply because it gives me the heebie jeebies, and I didn't dare to step even onto Adlon's welcoming rug because I was afraid I'd dirty it! Adlon is that grand! The plush interior, luxurious furniture... From the clean and crisp white linen that covers each comfortable and inviting bed, to the heavy, dark brown lacquered writing desks, Adlon is the embodiment of perfection, comfort and luxury.

And then I thought of us, and how our bodies are God's sacred and holy temple, set apart for Him and for Him only. If our bodies are God's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), if our bodies are the homes within which dwells God's Spirit, shouldn't we then take care of it?

Some people think that those verses in 1 Corinthians 6 apply only to our outer shells, our physical members. And so their theology on this point extends only so far as to advise others to take good care of their bodies physically (ie. don't smoke, don't drink, no tattoos, no adulterous behaviour, etc.).

How strange it is, then, to note that the Greek word for "body" used is σῶμα (sōma), meaning the body as a sound whole, both literally and figuratively!
How strange it is, then, to note that the surrounding verses within which these are located beseech believers to flee from sins that not only suffer the body, but also the intangible but powerful will, control, feeling, spirit. Sins, especially those that stem from sexual immorality and impurity, that destroy and mar the external temple, desecrate the inner holy of holies, and snatch the house deed from God's hands.

That is why Peter wrote for us, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Just as the Old Testament saints before us cleansed and purified, making themselves holy, blameless and acceptable in God's holy eyes, we are to do likewise, walking every moment in the light, fellowshipping habitually with one another, kneeling every evening in humble and contrite confession of sin (1 John 1:7-9).

Therefore, flee from sexual immorality, flee from impurity, flee from unholiness, for our bodies, physical and tangible, spiritual and eternal, are the temple of God, the dwelling place of His Spirit.

As they say, God is in the building!
Are you, o housekeeper, diligent and urgent, striving to keep everything clean and in order? Will your abode pass the white glove test?
Is there a hidden basement in your establishment that you keep under lock and key, refusing God entry?

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

~ James 4:7-10

Invite the Spirit to walk with you on your rounds through your temple.
And allow Him to turn your eyes towards neglected areas now covered with a layer of dust, allow Him to point frankly at secret and closed doors.

So, what does your temple look like:

the Bates Motel or Hotel Adlon Kempinski?