Chapter 237—For the Whole Man
The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
.
The sanctification set forth in the Scriptures embraces the entire being—
spirit, soul, and body.... Christians are bidden to present their bodies, “a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” (
Romans 12:1
). In order to do
this, all their powers must be preserved in the best possible condition. Every
practice that weakens physical or mental strength unfits man for the service
of his Creator.... Said Christ: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart” (
Matthew 22:37
). Those who do love God with all the heart will
desire to give Him the best service of their life, and they will be constantly
seeking to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that
will promote their ability to do His will. They will not, by the indulgence of
appetite or passion, enfeeble or defile the offering which they present to their
heavenly Father.
God would have us realize that He has a right to mind, soul, body, and
spirit—to all that we possess. We are His by creation and by redemption. As
our Creator, He claims our entire service. As our Redeemer, He has a claim
of love as well as of right—of love without a parallel.... Our bodies, our
souls, our lives, are His, not only because they are His free gift, but because
He constantly supplies us with His benefits, and gives us strength to use our
faculties....
Shall we not, then, give to Christ that which He has died to redeem? If
you will do this, He will quicken your conscience, renew your heart, sanctify
your affections, purify your thoughts, and set all your powers at work for
Him. Every motive, and every thought will be brought into captivity to Jesus
Christ.
Those who are sons of God will represent Christ in character. Their
works will be perfumed by the infinite tenderness, compassion, love, and
purity of the Son of God. And the more completely mind and body are
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