Continuing on the quest of Christian identity, the Christian life theme for the months of November to December have changed to even more specific Christian traits. The theme for November is “you are a new creation.” The theme for December is “you are a temple of the Holy Spirit.”
The verses for November are 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 4:16, and Revelation chapter 21. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 4:16 states, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” Revelation chapter 21 talks about the new heaven and new earth. All of these verses relate to Christians being new creations.
The verses for December’s theme of “you are a temple of the Holy Spirit” are 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 states, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
When asked about the relevance to the themes of the year as a whole, Christian Life director, Greg Lisson said, “As you cross over into somebody who is follower of Christ, now there are some new things that are part of your identity. One, you are a new creation. Next, a pretty well-known one is you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. We are trying to build on what it looks like to be a follower of Christ.” When asked how December’s theme relates to Christmas, Lisson said “I did choose this theme on purpose because when you talk about God dwelling in you, it also reminds me of God dwelling among us which is what the incarnation of God is.” While not a direct relation, it still reminds Christians that God came to earth as a man so that we could gain salvation.
