“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Romans 12:1
At salvation, the moment you crossed over from spiritual death to spiritual life, a transfer of ownership, power, and authority took place. Have you paused for a minute to consider the implications this has on your body?
As we search the scriptures, we see that our bodies are described as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19-20, 1 Cor 3:16:17, John 2:21), having been formed by God (Jer 1:5), holy (1 Cor 3:16-17), a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2) and not our own (1 Cor 6:19).
His word also reveals His intended purpose for our bodies and how we’re meant to treat them. He instructs us to glorify God in our body (1 Cor 6:19-20), present our bodies to the Lord (Rom 12:1), discipline our bodies and keep it under control (1 Cor 9:27) and exalt Christ in our bodies (Phil 1:20).
The body we have is not our own to do with as we please and treat how we like. We are God’s treasured possession, which means every part of us, including our body, belong to Him. We are the temple and dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and our body is the vessel through which we minister unto the Lord with a surrendered life, bringing glory and honour to Him.
So how would you care for or treat something that doesn’t belong to you? I think it’s safe to say you wouldn’t treat it like any other common, worthless and dispensable item. You would look after it with value, respect, and attention to ensure that nothing untoward happens to it while it’s in your care.
The same applies to our bodies. Do you treat it like a cheap toy car that gets left lying around to be eaten by the dog, stood on and broken, or treat it like a Bugatti La Voiture Noire, the most expensive car in the world, that’s been entrusted to you by a friend?
Our body is a priceless gift that has been entrusted to us by God to enable us to fulfil our calling and be His hands and feet. But the way we care for our bodies can either help or hinder us. It can either cause us to be ineffective or even more effective in His Kingdom.
If you feel like your body is a hindrance and holding you back from living the life God has called you to, it’s time to make a change and care for what’s been entrusted to you. You’re not on your own in this, ask the Lord, and He will give you the wisdom and grace you need. Wisdom to know how to make changes and the supernatural empowerment to make those changes. Ask Him because as His treasured possession, He has a vested interest in seeing you succeed and flourish in the life He designed you to live.
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:22
PAUSE – PRAY – PROGRESS
- How would you describe the life God designed you to live?
- What is the condition of the gift (body) that has been entrusted to you?
- How can you glorify God in your body?