God Calls us a Holy Temple

Metaphor: Holy Temple

Concept:  The focus here is on the nature of this temple. It is unique in that we are the living stones that make it. The uniqueness character of this temple is seen in verse 21.

Eph 2:19-21Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household. 20 You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. AMP

Wuest gives this translation. In whom the whole building closely joined together, grows into a holy inner sanctuary in the Lord, in whom also you are being built together into a permanent dwelling place of God by the Spirit.

The importance we have in forming the temple and demonstrating the life of King Jesus is an encouragement to us that our daily life in which we can be the salt of the earth and the light of Jesus to a world in darkness is a motivation for us to keep giving our greatest effort to live the life Jesus has for us.