YOUR BODY: A LIVING SACRIFICE

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies (body, as a sound whole, literally or figuratively) a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1,2.

Thinking about our bodies, as we listened to our Pastor this Sunday morning, he spoke on Romans 12. When our son, Zach, his wife, Roxy, their children Lilly and Elijah came home with us this evening after dinner in a restaurant, my husband decided we should read Romans 12 before ending the evening with dessert. Then I opened a Bible devotion, a favorite book before going to bed, Romans 12: 1 was explained.

Your body, our bodies: they are a temple of the Holy Spirit when we have believed in the gospel, the work of Jesus on the cross as He died for our sins. “ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel… how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” I Corinthians 15:3,4. 

We will be renewed, encouraged, strengthened, built up in our faith as we present ourselves to Him in full surrender. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

YOUR WHOLE SELF: INCLUDING YOUR BODY

 The one body you were born with is all you will have: given as a gift; and the only one you will have the responsibility for - of living in. Is that a surprise? 

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" 1Corinthians 6:19. Is it also a new thought that how you "live" in your physical human body is important?  Is God, the Creator of heaven and earth interested? "But I'm so small."

You may feel small on the "sands of time" and insignificant, but that is only a feeling. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1Corinthians 6:20. 

You can glorify God in your body by living by the Word.

"And 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." 1Thessalonians 5:23. Sanctify is to set apart, holy. 

Well, blameless is a hope, a try, but that is what we can try for without being perfectionist about it. You know, I know and our Creator, Jesus Christ knows that we are not blameless. On a personal note, this knowledge was drilled into me from my childhood. The fourth of eight children, my quiet, sense of being "one of the crowd" grew into an introspective, overly conscientious sense of unimportance. So that as I grew, that actually became a positive direction: I wanted to be perfect, the best I could be. This led to the health emphasis that eventually led to a belief I hold today. 

The Bible is, in truth, to be lived out spirit, soul and body. It is for our fulfillment, happiness and blessing. The Spirit of God has written to you through holy men of God. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2Peter 1:21  

Finding mentions of food in the Bible can be new inspiration for you!" And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Luke_4:4. Mention of food is throughout the Bible from beginning to end. I believe that we will be insightful and wise to look at the context of mentions of food in Scripture. Whether it is a spiritual truth, a figurative truth or a practical one, that food is what God created for mankind. Are we discerning enough to take a serious look at that food? If it is what God created for you to take into your body are you doing it?