A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance
by Steve West
Editor’s Note: Most of our readers will already be at least somewhat acquainted with John Owen (1616-1683), “the prince of Puritans,” but it is not likely that many have read him extensively. His works are not only voluminous – they are tightly packed and deeply considered. Owen is neither quick nor light reading!
Today we continue our year-long series of summaries of Owen’s famous works. We trust these will be of help in introducing and/or increasing your acquaintance with this giant Puritan theologian.
Summary, Part 3
Sermon XXIII “A Christian, God’s Temple”
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 “For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
These words tell us three things: 1. The privilege of believers in being the church of God. 2. On this basis they are to come out from among others and be holy. 3. As they do they are received by God and made his children. For the first point, believers are the firstfruits, purchased to belong to God. Believers are called and anointed by God, and he dwells inside of them. God took up residence in the temple by signs and tokens, and also by moving in with his glory. We belong to God by vowing to give him all that he desires. In this, we are called to be separate from the world. Those who belong to God must be separate from the world—those who are not do not belong to the Lord. It is by the Holy Spirit that we are anointed, marked, and sealed. When God gives us the Spirit, he has a particular interest in us and what we do. The Spirit indwells believers, making us his holy temple. If Christ is not ruling on the throne of our heart, then God does not inhabit us. What stirs up God’s judgments against a nation is when they attack his possession and inheritance. It is also a great sin when the church faces calamities, but she will not come out and be separate. . . .
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