The Spirit in the Soul Temple

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16.
From eternal ages it was God’s purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple.
God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness to the high destiny open to every soul. But the Jews had not understood the significance of the building they regarded with so much pride. They did not yield themselves as holy temples for the Divine Spirit. The courts of the temple at Jerusalem, filled with the tumult of unholy traffic, represented all too truly the temple of the heart…. In cleansing the temple from the world’s buyers and sellers, Jesus announced His mission to cleanse the heart from the defilement of sin—from … the selfish lusts, the evil habits, that corrupt the soul….
No man can of himself cast out the evil throng that have taken possession of the heart. Only Christ can cleanse the soul temple. But He will not force an entrance. He comes not into the heart as to the temple of old; but He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” Revelation 3:20. He will come, not for one day merely; for He says, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; … and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16…. His presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, and “an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22.
The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children.
The Faith I Live By p. 191
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Lou. She is still coughing up blood. Eileen
—-Just learned of a friend having inflammatory breast cancer. She is on hospice. She needs prayers. Renee
—-PRAY for the Benton’s and the Blake’s (mom, dad, sisters, and husband and kids) Emberly was one of 3 sisters that sang and cooked on 3ABN. Emberly started having headaches last week, went into a coma from swelling of the brain, and passed away quite quickly.
—-Prayers for my Uncle Jim. He has alzheimer’s and dementia and is in the hopital with phenomia and they have been draining his lungs. Pray also for his son James who is not taking it well. Shirley
—-Please pray for my eyes! I have Glaucoma and Cataracts!
I’m nervous and scared! Gail
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, I had an interview with a woman who was explaining the various options available for my elderly mother. As she was speaking, I noticed that she occasionally looked at me strangely. I wondered why. After she left, I learned the reason. The mirror revealed that one lock of hair was standing up on top of my head like a solar flare. I was so embarrassed! If only I’d looked in the mirror before she knocked on my door.
Just so, our Great Creator has given us a mirror to reveal to us our need of change. It shows us when something in our life is standing up at a grotesque angle spiritually. Within those ten precepts contain all of the principles needed to guide us aright. By following them, we will not cause ourselves embarrassment in the great judgment day. “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” Ex 20:1-17
Paul tells us, “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom 3:20 The ten commandments is “our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Gal 3:24 In other words, if we try to keep the law in order to be saved, we will fail miserably. It is by looking at the “law of liberty,” that we see our need of a Saviour. It is by ordering our life by its precepts that we stay close to our Only Helper.
David sang, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Ps 19:7-11
May we exclaim as did he, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. ” Ps 119:10-15 May we remember the words of Jesus, “If ye love me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 May we, out of a heart filled with love for our Redeemer, “keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” is my prayer. 1 John 3:22
Rose