Built Together

Ephesians 2:21-22

“In Him each separate piece of building, properly fitting into its neighbor, grows together into a temple consecrated to the Lord. You are all part of this building in which God Himself lives by His Spirit. “

There is no doubt about it Father. We are to “fit together” with other believers. Once again, You express Your heart to me as You tell me how You view Your children. A building growing, increasing as Your dwelling place, a holy temple.

In this passage in Ephesians You were speaking to the Jews and Gentiles who had a “a barrier of a dividing wall” between them for centuries. Through Christ You brought peace to those who were “near" (Jews) and to those who were “far off” (Gentiles) by taking away the enmity (Law) between the two and establishing peace. You reconciled them both into one body and now they, together in Christ, as one body have access to the Father. This speaks so strongly of unity and oneness.

This passage gives me a sense of Your view of believers. It’s not just about me! You see the whole picture…You have an earthly temple in your children not just individually; but we are to be “fitted together , united in Him, bonded together, closely joined together, and welded together” as the various translations so interpret the scriptures in these verses. This is for the purpose of being “a holy temple in the Lord-a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated and sacred to the presence of the Lord.”
The Greek word, sunoikodomeo, for “built together” as used in Eph 2:22 means to “put together or construct by building, out of several things to build up one whole”.

That is we being the “pieces” one by one make up the whole temple, and that temple is increasing and growing constantly….praise God!

Over and over You show me the importance of unity among believers. Of loving others as You love me. Seeing them as You see me, without spot or blemish. Of obedience to Your Holy Spirit as He prompts me to share Christ so that Your temple grows and grows.

For Christ is the Uniter and is above all (Eph 1:21)and our eyes are to be on Him in others. With His Spirit and His love indwelling us we have the essentials to do our part for the harmony of the body. We can depend on Your wisdom and understanding for other believers as we seek You in our earthly relationships that are difficult.

Seeing the wholeness of the body of Christ, Your holy temple, enables me to see the importance of loving others in their weaknesses just as I desire to be accepted and loved in my own.
When I let reign the negative toward others, seeing and dwelling on their faults, it is like I tear down the body that You have paid such a high price for. Jesus’ body was torn apart for our salvation which includes our healing. Tearing down is like taking away from that building, the temple that You want to increase and grow.

So help me allow the Cross of Calvary to lead me into harmony with other believers and to heal that which needs healing in my relationship with others of Your temple.