1 Corinthians 3: 3, The New English Bible “Can you not see that while there is jealousy and strife among you, you are living on the purely human level of your lower nature?”
Dear God,
Thank You for all things, which includes the ability to enjoy life as I endeavour to be Your blessing to others. Please again fill me with the Holy Spirit, as well as enable me to develop the fruits of the Spirit, for I am not naturally loving, kind, gentle or any of the other attributes that develop in a true Christian. I am encouraged as I read in Your Holy word, that many of Your fine spiritual children therein portrayed, were not naturally expressing love and all the other gifts of the Spirit, at the beginning of their experience either. As they gave their whole heart and life to You, they gradually grew in Your graces; therefore so can I (we all). However Paul when writing in 1 Corinthians 3: 1 and 2 chides the believers for not having advanced (or having reverted) beyond being stuck at the level they were in at first, when he first starting ministering to them as, “infants in Christ” and needing “milk to drink, instead of solid food”. They were still not ready for solid food; “for you are still on the merely natural plane”, manifesting the fruits of their “lower nature”, such as envy, strife and causing divisions, and behaving like mere man and not one of God’s Spirit filled children. I perceive that such behaviours within the corporate body of the congregation, are ‘me’ focused, instead of God focused, aiming at glorifying Him by being His tool in building up the congregation.
I see, that as a member within Your church congregation, I am a fellow labourer in “God’s field” as well as being a part of “God’s building”, and along with each other person, have my own individual contribution to make to the whole building, with Jesus Christ being the foundation of all our endeavour, as found in 1 Corinthians 3: 9 – 11.
I find it life changing to believe, that my physical body is of great value and beloved by You as my Creator. You love me so much that You desire to come and dwell in me, and have a relationship, V16 “Surely you know that you are God’s temple, where the Spirit of God dwells.” Please give me Your wisdom and strength, so that I have the right understanding of the knowledge that comes across my path, and so be enabled to look after my whole body and mind, in the way set out. I can also see You will fill any lack in the desire and ability to care for my physical and spiritual body, because to do so is life preserving now and in the hereafter, V17 “Anyone who destroys God’s temple will himself be destroyed by God, because the temple of God is holy; and that temple you are.”
I know that because I have been privileged to learn of You and ways to look after my bodily temple; You have also challenged me to share some of my passion and knowledge. I humbly ask for Your direction, ability and strength to share with others, at this time of my lesser than previous ability, and previous lost opportunities.
Amen