Part 330 (2/2)

With freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. Ye were running well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion came not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

--_Galatians 5:1, 7-9_.

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THE CHRISTIAN TEMPLE

According to the grace of G.o.d which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.

--_I Corinthians 3:10-15_.

So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of G.o.d, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of G.o.d in the Spirit.

--_Ephesians 2:19-22_.

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[Ill.u.s.tration]

A GENERAL VIEW OF THE ACROPOLIS, ATHENS.

From a picture belonging to Smith College and used by the kind permission of the Department of Greek Literature.

This hill, covered with a fortress and temple, was the most p.r.o.nounced object in ancient as in modern Athens. This is one of the beautiful temples which Paul saw, from which he drew many ill.u.s.trations.

[End ill.u.s.tration]

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For we are G.o.d's fellow-workers: ye are G.o.d's husbandry, G.o.d's building.

--_I Corinthians 3:9_.

Know ye not that ye are a temple of G.o.d, and that the Spirit of G.o.d dwelleth in you? If any man destroyeth the temple of G.o.d, him shall G.o.d destroy; for the temple of G.o.d is holy, which temple ye are.

--_I Corinthians 3:16, 17_.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which pa.s.seth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of G.o.d.

--_Ephesians 3:14-19_.

Now to him that is able to stablish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal G.o.d, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith; to the only wise G.o.d, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

--_Romans 16:25-27_.

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