Temple of the Holy Spirit

BULLETIN ARTICLE – 23 APR 2017

The Ryrie Bible presents three aspects of sanctification:

  1. Positional sanctification, which is possessed by every born-again Christian from the moment of his conversion, he receives a perfect standing in holiness – “an inheritance amongst all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).
  2. Progressive sanctification, which is the daily growth in grace and becoming more and more set apart for God’s use. – “to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Eph 5:26).
  3. Ultimate sanctification, which is attained only when we are fully and completely received by God in heaven – “your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 5:23).

Having this clearly defined there is no question about what God has done to bring us to a perfect standing with Him. The Corinthian Christians were reminded that “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” This is the start point of our new life in holiness. Jesus has justified us and in our sanctified position we are brought into the presence of God.

The issue for all of us is the matter of progressive sanctification. In fact, Apostle Paul tells us that our bodies are members of Christ and therefore must not be yoked unequally with those who are not of Christ. However, the Corinthian Christians held the view that “everything is permissible”, that they were at liberty on the point of sexual immorality because it was not a sin condemned by the laws. Paul had to correct their erroneous thinking. Many things are lawful in themselves but these are not expedient or beneficial for the reformed Christians. We are not just governed by the laws of the land but by a higher law and authority. Christians should not merely consider what is lawful to be done but rather what is fit for them to do. Immorality is not against the laws of the land but it trespasses the law of nature, God’s laws.

Especially for the Christians, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are members of Christ’s body. It would be a gross abuse to treat our bodies dishonorably. Bible commentator Matthew Henry says, “The sin of fornication is a great injury in a Christian to his Head and Lord, and a great reproach and blot on his profession.” Paul instructed Christians to “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6:18). Alia vitia pugnando, sola libido fugiendo vincitur – other vices may be conquered in fight, this only by flight (unreferenced quote). Remember: You are the Temple of the Holy Spirit!