God has a temple, or house, today. Notice what Paul says in writing to Timothy: “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)). Timothy was told that he must know how to behave himself in that house.
It is very important, dear young friends, to be concerned about our behavior in the house of God. In 1 Peter 2:4-54To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4‑5) we are told how this house is built. “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” The house of God today, instead of being built with great, costly stones (1 Kings 5:1717And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. (1 Kings 5:17)) that were quarried from the bowels of the earth, is being built with living stones—believers in the Lord Jesus. Are you saved, dear young friends? Are you boys and girls trusting Christ as your Saviour?
It is not a matter of age or maturity nor because a brother has a distinct gift that he is a stone in that house. Peter tells us that those who come to Christ are the living stones in that spiritual house.
So the house of God in this world today is composed of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the house of God is built for a very definite and special purpose. In that house there is a holy priesthood. Thank God that everyone who is trusting in Christ is not only a living stone, but he is also a holy priest to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ!
How wonderful it is that you, dear young brothers and sisters, are just as much priests as the older brothers who take the public lead in the meetings. You can be present, gathered in the Lord’s name, and be just as much a holy priest, just as much offering up a spiritual sacrifice, as the brother who may eloquently express his praise to the Lord. If your heart is full of Christ and you are enjoying that blessed One in your soul, you are sending up what is most acceptable to the heart of God the Father, and that is worship. You are a worshipper!
A. M. Barry