Purity

“His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me’” (John 2:17 NIV).

Remember this story? Jesus got so zealous about the purity of God’s temple that He did a housecleaning. He drove out the money changers, upsetting the tables of those who were turning His house into something that it should not be.

He later passionately proclaimed, “My house shall be a house of prayer!” (Luke 19:46, ESV). So close to Jesus’ heart was the holiness of God’s house, that He actually performed this kind of cleansing twice. Once was towards the beginning of His ministry (John 2), and the second time was towards the end (Luke 19). Clearly, Jesus’ heart was burning with intensity about this matter.

Yes, His heart was burning. It burns still. Indeed, “Our God is a consuming fire!” (Heb. 12:29, NIV). Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is the exact representation of His nature. He shows us what our Abba is like: our Father is ardently interested in keeping His house clean.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? For God’s temple is holy, which is what you are.” (1 Cor. 3:16-17 NET).

In the Old Covenant, God’s temple was a building. In the New Covenant, we His children have become His temple. You and I are the dwelling place of God. His zeal for His house has not lessened. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Our God has never been anything less than passionate in His pursuits. His heart burns with intensity in His zeal for you.

Zeal for His house continues to consume Him. You are that house. If you have given yourself to Him, He will perform housecleanings. Don’t be afraid! The wonderful news is that Continue reading Zeal for His House: You