My father wrote a book titled “The Man Called Jesus.” I was thinking of his story from the perspective of the thief on the cross, as well as the exchange between him and Jesus from the cross. My study with Kristi McLelland emphasized the “we culture” in the early Church and the importance of viewing holiness in terms of the presence of faith and love, rather than solely focusing on the absence of sin. I closed my eyes to pray and was searching for a visual, something to reflect on that would be an example, and my dad’s book came to mind. The storyline of his book and the passage.

We hear verses like “my body is a temple” (1 Corinthians 6:19) and often translate it into a strict set of personal rules, focusing heavily on what we shouldn’t do. And while stewardship of our individual lives is crucial, what if this understanding misses the richer, more communal truth of what it means to be holy?

This is where the transformative insights of teachers like Kristi McLelland, with her in-depth exploration of the biblical context, profoundly shift our perspective. She asks us to re-examine the concept of “Living Stones” (1 Peter 2:5) and to understand our individual “temple” not in isolation, but in its dynamic connection to a larger, spiritual house.

From Individual to Collective Dwelling

When we hear “my body is a temple,” our Western minds often picture a grand, solitary structure—clean, adorned, and personally maintained. And yes, our individual bodies are sacred vessels, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This truth calls us to honor God with our lives, making choices that reflect His presence within us.

However, Kristi McLelland reminds us that the biblical narrative isn’t just about individual temples; it’s about the collective Temple—the Church. Peter tells us, “As you come to him, a living stone… you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house.” (1 Peter 2:4-5). The emphasis here is not on the individual stone in isolation, but on how each stone is fitted together with others to create a dwelling place for God.

This communal vision drastically reframes our pursuit of holiness.

I woke up this morning wanting to write about this, partly because it was on my mind, and because last night I went to a restaurant that had stones on a wall so nicely placed, and my chair was in a position to examine them the entire time, which to me was a beautiful connection from God. I was able to share with my family, who took us out to dinner as a birthday treat.

Holiness as Presence, Not Just Absence

If we, as “living stones,” are being built into a spiritual house, what kind of house are we becoming? Is it a house defined solely by what it lacks (sin, impurity, error), or by what it overflows with?

McLelland’s teaching leads us to understand that biblical holiness, especially in a Middle Eastern context, is less about an empty space and more about a fullness of God’s presence. The Old Testament Temple wasn’t holy just because it was clean; it was holy because the Shekinah glory of God dwelt there.

Therefore, as “living stones” in this new spiritual house, our pursuit of holiness should be less about a sterile absence of sin and more about the vibrant presence of God’s character manifested through us. This means actively pursuing:

• Love: Not just an emotion, but a sacrificial, action-oriented love that mirrors Christ’s.
• Mercy: Extending compassion and forgiveness to those who falter, just as God has extended it to us.
• Grace: Living and interacting with others with an unmerited favor, understanding that we are all beneficiaries of God’s boundless grace.

A New Lens for Living

Compassion means “with suffering” and to go towards the suffering to offer hope and restoration. Jesus was full of compassion. How can we begin to see ourselves as living stones who desire to be a part of holiness that is more about the presence of, versus the absence of–the pursuit of perfection? The word “sin” can be replaced with anything that keeps you away from your best relationship and love of God. Something that pulls you away and becomes a barrier to His love for Him, His love for you, and the love of your neighbor. I’ve often believed that most people know their struggles, and we can do more with compassion and “presence of” than taking the time to remind them of their faults and what they should be doing. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that my go-to when I’m struggling is to ruminate on my wrongdoings and question my worth. From this perspective of holiness, it gives us room to build in self-love as Jesus told us “to love your neighbor as yourself.” “How are we showing up in our lives?” A question Kristi asks us in her study, and I just remembered. I’ll linger there for a while.

Jesus didn’t list the wrongdoings or scold the thief on the cross. The thief knew his life story and what got him to the point of the cross. Jesus heard his heart and, with great compassion, said, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

God knows our hearts, and it is His love that will change us. And, the change needed is so individual to each of us. The sacredness to be known by God, and to walk with Him. Just so incredible. This old hymn sung by Selah is one of my favorites. Close your eyes and know He loves you.