“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 3:17)
Scripture teaches that all true Christians belong entirely to God. What an amazing truth, indeed, that every Person of the Trinity has a special interest in every believer. We belong to God the Father because He purchased us to Himself by the blood of His Son. We belong to God the Son for we are members of His body. And we are the temple of God the Holy Spirit, for He indwells us. Indeed, we are wholly God’s in body and in spirit.
Scripture tells us, “we are not our own” (1 Cor. 6:19). Therefore the believer must not live according to his own will, but according to the will of Christ. For He is the Head who governs the body in all its actions, and He is the Savior of the body who will raise it up at the last day and make it conformable to His glorious body.
Therefore, it is only reasonable that we glorify God in our bodies (1 Cor. 6:20; Romans 12:1), following the rule of His Word and the guidance of His Spirit. Since our bodies are the members of Christ and the temples of the Holy Spirit, we must not defile them by sinful actions, immodesty, or worldly vanity. The body is like the porch of the temple, and therefore it must be kept clean and reverent, because the Spirit of God dwells within.[1]
But we must also glorify God in our spirit. To serve God only with the body is hypocrisy; we must serve Him with both body and spirit. God is a Spirit and must be worshiped in spirit and in truth. Therefore the mind must be pure, the conscience sincere, and the heart set upon God. For true worship is inward as well as outward.
We are not only called to serve God here in body and spirit, but are also being prepared for a future state of glory where we will serve Him perfectly. This truth should make us long for holiness, for God is fitting us to dwell with Him eternally in a holy place and with holy company.
Let us give thanks that we belong to God, have been redeemed by Christ, are indwelt by His Spirit, and are being prepared for eternal glory. For this is an unspeakable privilege and honor and should lead to a life of holiness and grateful obedience.
Contemplations:
- I Belong to Him. Thank You, Father, that I am not my own, but I belong to You in body and in spirit. You have redeemed me, and therefore I am Yours. Let me never live as though I belonged to myself, but always remember that I am Yours.
- The Indwelling Spirit. Thank You, Holy Spirit, that You dwell in me and make me Your temple. Help me live in holiness so that I do not grieve You who dwells in me.
- Redemption Through Christ. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that I am a member of Your body and that You are my Head and my Savior. Help me live in obedience to You in all that I do.
- The Hope of Glory. I thank You, Lord, that You are preparing me for a holy and eternal life with You. Teach me to live in a way that prepares me for that future glory.
Prayer (Thanksgiving)
Heavenly Father, thank You for redeeming me and making me Your own. Thank You that I do not belong to myself, but that I belong to You in body and in spirit. This is a great privilege and a great comfort, that my life is not my own, but is under Your care and Your authority.
Thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ, who has redeemed me with His blood and made me a member of His body. Thank You that He is my Head, my Savior, and my Lord. Thank You that He will raise my body at the last day and make it conformable to His glorious body.
Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who dwells in me and makes me Your temple. I am grateful that You have not left me alone, but have come to dwell in me by Your Spirit. Help me live in holiness so that I do not grieve the Holy Spirit.
Thank You that You are preparing me for eternal life and for the company of the saints in glory, for after this life I will be with Christ and with the spirits of just men made perfect. This gives me hope and comfort in this present world.
Thank You for all these blessings, Lord. Help me to glorify You in my body and in my spirit, which are Yours. And let my thoughts, words, and actions be pleasing in Your sight.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References 1 Cor. 3:17:
Eph. 2:21; Lev. 15:31; Num. 19:20; 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:22
[1] Thomas Cole, A Discourse of Christian Religion, (London: R.R. for Thomas Cockerill .., 1692), 275-280.
