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Consider —

I. THE PEOPLE OF GOD INDWELT BY GOD. "The Spirit of God dwelleth in you."

1. We must accept that as literally true. The Spirit of God is a person, the attributes of personality are ascribed to Him. The Old Testament prepared for this teaching. "I will put My Spirit within you." Then, in the New Testament, our Lord says, "I will pray the Father," &c. As God the Father pardons sin, and God the Son atoned for sin, God the Spirit dwells in us to cleanse from sin.

2. This is granted to the lowliest spiritual condition. Indeed, "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His." Many spiritual blessings we have to wait and even strive for, but this is given at the beginning. "I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit," and that is the first stage of Christian life.

3. This represents a permanent state. God comes not to tarry for a night, but "This is My rest for ever, here will I dwell, for I have desired it." What a vision all this gives of infinite condescension.

II. THIS INDWELLING MAKES EACH OF GOD'S PEOPLE A TEMPLE. That implies —

1. Divine consecration. Other buildings might be put to other use, but everything under the shadow of the shekinah was inscribed "Holiness unto the Lord." And that is the Divine emblem of the redeemed man; he is to be amongst men like a church in a city, the mirthful tide may beat against its gates, and the stream of business ever pass its doors, but it were pollution for either to cross its threshold, it and all within are God's. The less distinction we make between the Church and the world the further we go from God's purpose concerning us.

2. Divine testimony. For the temple stands amid the din and strife of the streets a silent witness for God. Such is the Christian amongst men; he is a church in the world. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His," and do you think He can dwell in a soul and the world not know it!

3. Divine revealings. God in the soul. What spiritual visions, what views of the King, what subtle voices, what inward brightness does it not suggest! "The King's daughter is all glorious within." And if He be there, the angels, His attendants, are there; angels of holy thought and affection and desire, making sacred melody, and reverently listening for their Lord's will.

III. THE FACT OF THIS INDWELLING IS OFTEN FORGOTTEN BY GOD'S PEOPLE. How often do we need the Divine appeal, "Know ye not," &c. For example —

1. When we doubt the Divine care. "What! know ye not that ye are the temple of God?" Will He not care for His own; will He dwell amid our needs and not meet them?

2. When we mourn an absent God. "Know ye not," &c. He has not gone, He is in your soul, you carry within you the "well of water springing up into everlasting life." Only unmourned sin has hindered His manifestation, and that hindrance can be removed and the shining of His face appear again.

3. When we shrink from setting holy example.

4. When we make light of sin.

(C. New.)

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KJV: Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

WEB: Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you?