Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of God is holy which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
All Christians know from experience, that faith in Christ is the source of their holiness and peace. When beset with tempatations to despondency or sin, if they look to him for support, they are conscious of a strength to resist, or to endure, which no amount of will and no influence of motives could ever impart. When they draw near to God as the members of Christ, they have freedom and access, and experience a joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. When pressed down by afflictions, if they remember that they are one with him who suffered for them, leaving them an example, they rejoice in their tribulations, knowing that if they suffer they shall also reign with him.
Moreover . . . to maintain that life we must avoid everything which may provoke the Spirit to withdraw from us. The Bible teaches us, that the Spirit may be grieved; that His influences may be quenched; that God, in judgment, often withdraws them from those who thus offend. Evil thoughts, unholy tempers, acts of transgression, are to be avoided not merely as sins, but as offences against the Holy Spirit. We must remember, that to defile the soul with sin, or the body by intemperance or impurity, is sacrilege, because we are the members of Christ, and our bodies the temples of the Holy Ghost. On the other hand, right thoughts, just purposes, holy desires, are to be cherished not only as right in themselves, but as proceeding from that heavenly Agent on whom we are dependent for sanctification.
(Charles Hodge (1797-1878), The Banner of Truth Trust, June 2014, info@banneroftruth.org )
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