Holy in Christ: Thoughts on the Calling of God's Children to be Holy as He is HolyMurray, Andrew
Religion
Holy in Christ: Thoughts on the Calling of God's Children to be Holy as He is Holy
Murray, Andrew
Holiness
1. In the tabernacle and temple, the material part was to be in
harmony with, and the embodiment of, the holiness that dwelt
within. It was therefore all made according to the pattern
shown in the mount. In the two last chapters of Exodus, we have
eighteen times 'as the Lord commanded.' Everything, even in the
exterior, was the embodiment of the will of God. Even so our
body, as God's temple, must in everything be regulated by God's
word, quickened and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
2. As part of this holiness in the body, Scripture mentions dress.
Speaking of the 'outward adorning of plaiting the hair, of
wearing jewels, or the putting on of apparel,' as inconsistent
with 'the apparel of a meek and quiet spirit,' Peter says,
'After this manner aforetime _the holy women_, who hoped in
God, adorned themselves.' Holiness was seen in their dressing;
their body was the temple of the Holy Spirit.
3. 'If ye through the Spirit do make dead the deeds of _the body_,
ye shall live.' His quickening energy must reign through the
whole. We are so accustomed to connect the spiritual with the
ideal and invisible, that it will need time and thought and
faith to realize how the physical and the sensible influence
our spiritual life, and must be under the mastery and
inspiration of God's Spirit. Even Paul says, 'I buffet _my
body_, and bring it into bondage, lest I myself should be
rejected.'
4. If God actually breathed His Spirit into the body of Adam
formed out of the ground, let it not be thought strange that
the Holy Spirit should now animate our bodies too with His
sanctifying energy.
5. 'Corporeality is the end of the ways of God.' This deep saying
of an old divine reminds us of a much neglected truth. The
great work of God's Spirit is to ally Himself with matter, and
form it into a spiritual body for a dwelling for God. In our
body the Holy Spirit will do it, if He gets complete
possession.
6. It is on this truth of the Holy Spirit's power in the body that
what is called Faith-healing rests. Through all ages, in times
of special spiritual quickening, God has given it to some to
see how Christ would make, even here, the body partaker of the
life and power of the Spirit. To those who do see it, the link
between Holiness and Healing is a very close and blessed one,
as the Lord Jesus takes possession of the body for Himself.
Twenty-fourth Day.
HOLY IN CHRIST.
Holiness and Cleansing.
'Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us _cleanse_
ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting
_holiness_ in the fear of God.'--2 Cor. vii. 1.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account