1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?… Consider — I. YOUR STATE. 1. "Ye are not your own!" You are not the masters of your own actions; the framers of your own condition; the proprietors of your own persons. No being can be his own, unless he be supreme, independent, self-existent. 2. Ye are "bought with a price." II. YOUR DUTY. This reminds us — 1. Of our complex nature. 2. That the body is not to be excluded or undervalued in religion. It is the workmanship of God, and displays much of His perfection. He has redeemed it, and will glorify it. Religion is not only a real, but a visible thing. The form of godliness is nothing without the power; but when the form is produced by the power, it is comely and useful. 3. That in all the duties of religion we are indispensably bound to glorify God in our spirit, as well as in our body. 4. That we are to glorify God in our corporeal and spiritual powers respectively by exertions peculiar to each. (1) As to the body — we are to glorify God in guarding our health; in watching our senses; in regulating our appetites; in rendering our natural refreshments and our secular callings subservient to religion, "Whether, therefore, we eat or drink," &c. (2) As to the spirit. III. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR STATE AND YOUR DUTY, OR THE DERIVATION OF THE ONE FROM THE OTHER. "Therefore." The inference is natural. 1. Does not Justice demand this dedication? 2. If we do not glorify God, are we not chargeable with the vilest ingratitude? 3. Is not this glorification of God the very end of your redemption? Were you rescued from bondage to be lawless? or to become your own masters? 4. How can you determine your actual interest in this redemption, unless you have dedicated yourselves unto God? He is the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? |
    |