Verse for today – “…Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:20-22).”

If you have thought very much about building construction, it will be easy to understand these verses. Buildings begin with a foundation which supports the entire structure. All the building pieces are then fitted together and attached to this foundation, piece by piece, until the completed structure stands strong as an interlocking unit, resting on and secured to the foundation.

In today’s verses Paul uses this building analogy to describe what God is doing with those who belong to Christ. He is building a temple—a dwelling of God. This “building” is constructed as each person places his or her faith in Christ. When someone genuinely believes in and receives Jesus, he or she becomes connected to the foundation (Jesus Christ) and Jesus “fits them together” into the building. In this process, Christians are connected to Him AND to one another. This, dear Reader, is the church! The church is not a physical building, made of brick and mortar, wood and electrical wiring. The church is people vitally connected to Jesus Christ and to each other. The church is alive! Its members are filled with God’s Spirit and are growing in love and grace. When Jesus said, “I will build My church.” This is what He meant. He is putting together a group of people, called out for His purposes. Notice also that buildings usually have a purpose. Many are homes, others are schools, office buildings, memorials, etc. The “building” Jesus is completing, described in today’s verses, is called a “holy temple” and a “dwelling of God.” Both descriptions carry the same main idea—God is among us and HE lives in us! We are called and “created in Christ Jesus” to live differently. We are to live for His purposes rather than our own. We are to be holy and pure, as He is holy and pure. We are to stay connected to HIM. Dear Reader, do not let these large goals frighten you! Remember Eph. 1:19-20. God’s power is at work in you! For more hope in these matters, remember that as we continue through Ephesians we will discover more of His plans and how to live in HIS strength, not our own.