The Soul Temple

[restoretruth]

THE CLEANSING OF THE SOUL TEMPLE

In the cleansing of the temple, Jesus was announcing His mission as the Messiah, and entering upon His work. That temple, erected for the abode of the divine Presence, was designed to be an object lesson for Israel and for the world. 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, defiled by the presence of sensual passion and unholy thoughts. 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 earthly desires, the selfish lusts, the evil habits, that corrupt the soul. "The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver." Malachi 3:1-3.  {DA 161.1}
 
     "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 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."He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." 2 Corinthians 6:16; Micah 7:19. 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 2:21, 22." {DA 161.2} (Emphasis supplied)

Must all habitual, reoccurring sins be overcome before a believer is sealed?

Is it possible to overcome sin without Christ’s presence in the soul temple?

Does God require more from this last generation than He has required from previous generations?

[Tammy]

1. Yes           2. No          3. No

Sounds like if we will open up the door every day and invite Him in, He will purify us.  I like the scripture in there that "He will subdue our iniquities."

[restoretruth]

1. Yes           2. No          3. No

Sounds like if we will open up the door every day and invite Him in, He will purify us.  I like the scripture in there that "He will subdue our iniquities."

Yes!

  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. ]1Jn 3:9 KJV

The Esv makes it clearer.

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

If Christ is dwelling in us, we cannot continue in known sin! If we are surrendered to Christ & allowing Him to change us, He will give us divine power to overcome all known sin! Of course, He changes us through His Word, prayer & sharing Christ with others! We have a Savior who is mighty to save any & all who will come to Him!

 I am not sure about #3! It might be a good subject for discussion!

[restoretruth]

Christ In The Soul Temple

"Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." Joh_6:53

...Spiritual life consists in Christ's being the light and life of the soul temple, as the blood is the life of the body. All who study the word are represented as eating the word, feeding on Christ. . . . Even as the bodily necessities must be supplied daily, so the word of God must be daily studied--eaten, and digested, and practiced. This sustains the nourishment, to keep the soul in health. The neglect of the word means starvation to the soul.The word describes the blessed man as one meditating day and night upon the truths of God's word. We all are to feast upon the word of God. The relation of the word to the believer is a vital matter. Appropriating the word to our spiritual necessities is the eating of the leaves of the tree of life that are for the healing of the nations. Study the word, and practice the word, for it is your life.-- Ellen G. White Letter 4, 1902.  {CSW 43.2}

[restoretruth]

REJECTION OF A “LIFE IN CHRIST?”

In John 6:51-69 Jesus revealed that a life in Him alone was the only source of eternal life!

    • ... I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

    • Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

    •  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

    •  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

    • This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

    • It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

But many of Jesus’ followers, who were considered His disciples rejected a  “life in Christ” & walked away from Him. They said, “This is a hard saying; who can hear it?” "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." (John 6:60; John 6:66)

Is there a parallel between Jesus’ time & today?

Are many Christians & SDA’s today rejecting what it means to live a “Life In Christ”, for a false & easier gospel?