The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 476

“ 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 ? for ye are bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body , and in your spirit , which are God ’ s .” 1 Corinthians 6:19 , 20 . He whose body is the temple of the Holy Spirit will not be enslaved by a pernicious habit . His powers belong to Christ , who has bought him with the price of blood . His property is the Lord ’ s . How could he be guiltless in squandering this entrusted capital ? Professed Christians yearly expend an immense sum upon useless and pernicious indulgences , while souls are perishing for the word of life . God is robbed in tithes and offerings , while they consume upon the altar of destroying lust more than they give to relieve the poor or for the support of the gospel . If all who profess to be followers of Christ were truly sanctified , their means , instead of being spent for needless and even hurtful indulgences , would be turned into the Lord ’ s treasury , and Christians would set an example of temperance , self-denial , and self-sacrifice . Then they would be the light of the world .
The world is given up to self-indulgence . “ The lust of the flesh , and the lust of the eyes , and the pride of life ” control the masses of the people . But Christ ’ s followers have a holier calling . “ Come out from among them , and be ye separate , saith the Lord , and touch not the unclean .” In the light of God ’ s word we are justified in declaring that sanctification cannot be genuine which does not work this utter renunciation of the sinful pursuits and gratifications of the world .
To those who comply with the conditions , “ Come out from among them , and be ye separate , ... and touch not the unclean ,” God ’ s promise is , “ I will receive you , and will be a Father unto you , and ye shall be My sons and daughters , saith the Lord Almighty .” 2 Corinthians 6:17 , 18 . It is the privilege and the duty of every Christian to have a rich and abundant experience in the things of God . “ I am the light of
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