Category: Body

The Body for the Lord

Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

1 Corinthians 6:13

Why is the body for the Lord? Do you have control over your whole body? Those who are older may wish to be young again, and those who are younger want to be older and wiser. It is the catch-22 dilemma or stumbling block that each human must face. No one can escape the aging process of their physical body. James, the brother of Jesus, commented that a perfect man can control their whole body. Do we need bridles to control our whole body? As humans, we struggle with our own humanity, with our emotions running high and reacting to everything that comes our way. We need some clear answers to continue on the path we are taking, yet we stumble and can’t find our way out of the situation we may find ourselves in.

“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2

How many of us are perfect men or women who can control their own bodies? It is our mind that speaks through our mouth, and this is polluting our bodies. Whatever you put into your body is the result of its output. This is a good reminder for all of us, for it is the same process that whatever we listen to sets up our mind as well. We are taught to take care of our bodies in what we eat and do, so we can get the best results for our physical well-being.  Science has taught, and is still investigating the truth of what is happening within our bodies when it comes to DNA, cancer, and diseases.  Sadly, certain industries are destroying our food source and creating cancer and decay within our bodies. We can not ignore the importance of maintaining good health by following proper nutrition.  In the Old Testament, the Jews were told by God what they should eat to maintain a healthy body. We need the wisdom of God to help us through the many obstacles of the food chain today, to even stay in good health. No one can deny the challenges we have in staying the course for good nutrition for our bodies.

The Jewish News comments that “We live in a time where misinformation is increasingly common. Rumors spread quickly, and social media has made a significant contribution to this.” It is important to be careful what one posts on social media so as not to become a part of the problem of spreading rumors, but to pray and seek out the truth for the questions you have. We all must have patience when seeking answers to our questions.  Sometimes, plain common sense is the key to being more aware, and reflecting on situations is wiser before one makes any decisions towards a plan of action. We ask God for wisdom in all situations. Many Christians just do not think about how their own bodies are the members of Christ. However, the apostle Paul was fully aware that our bodies are the members of Christ.

“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.” 1 Corinthians 6:15

Let us consider another scripture, what the apostle Paul said in Romans chapter 8.

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11.

The body for the Lord, and the Lord for the body, is the result of transformation. Being changed into the image of Christ in all we do and say. This is done by the Spirit of God. It is the Spirit of Christ that will raise up our bodies, and it will quicken our mortal bodies. This is not only for a future date, but is for us today. We have the healing atonement that Christ has provided for each of us who is saved. I recall that in the 1980s, the Firm Believer fitness program, created by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Judy Moser, gained popularity. Their goal was to meet the needs of Christians who were seeking to live a healthier lifestyle. Many Christians endorsed the program, and some churches opened their doors to having a weekly exercise program.  I also remember watching the Jack LaLanne and the Richard Simmons show, which featured exercise routines to help keep our bodies fit for everyday living.

How Christians have asked God in prayer to help them through those crash diets, those habits of eating too many sweets, or feelings of tiredness, fatigue, and exhaustion that hamper us from doing what we should be doing to stay physically and spiritually fit. Do we truly care about what we eat and the type of physical activity we engage in every day? No matter what age you are taking care of your own body is a daily routine. Disease is growing at a rapid rate, according to the World Health Organization, and this is creating global pandemics. As Christians, we should be aware and concerned about how to keep our bodies as belonging to the Lord and not for self-indulgence.

How can we present our bodies to the Lord as a living sacrifice as Paul tells us in Romans 12:1. Let us not forget that the apostle Paul stated that our “body is not for fornication but for the Lord, [1 Corinthians 6:13]?  Paul also asked the question in 1 Corinthians 6:15, “know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?” How does this apply to our physical body? It is not only our mind, will, and emotions that belong to the Lord, but our physical body as well. That is why Jesus went about healing everyone who was sick or who had a disease. Salvation and healing are found in the cross of Christ because he bought us with a price. The body is to be holy because it is washed and justified through the blood of Christ.

For ye are bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s

1 Corinthians 6:20

Our body is not to be used in selfish indulgences such as overeating or sexual immorality. Paul states to flee fornication because it is a sin against our own body [see 1 Corinthians 6:18]. Run away from sexual immorality and keep your own body pure and holy. Our body is part of the sanctification process through Christ, and now it belongs to the Lord. That is why Paul exclaims that “all things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any, [1 Corinthians 6:12]. We should not be brought under the power of anything that would degrade our bodies towards death rather than towards life. We are not to be conformed to the worldly ways of practicing selfish indulgences but to cease from them and be transformed by the renewing of our minds to what is good for us physically and spiritually. God is concerned for our whole being, and not just a part of it.

If thy whole body, therefore, be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp doth give thee light.

Luke 11:36

The whole body is to be full of light, having no part of darkness within it. Pray and ask the Lord to help heal your body and to get your appetites and desires under control. Ask God for help in taking steps to build up your physical body by changing your diet to one that supports a healthy immune system. Ask the Lord to help you maintain your health through exercising every week. Ask the Lord to guide you and your doctor to consider natural alternatives to building and maintaining a healthy body. Remember, He cares for you and your body, for you are presenting your body to the Lord as a living sacrifice [see Romans 12:1].

All Things Were Created By Him

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” Colossians 1:16

All things visible and invisible was created by Him. Can we imagine that any thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers were created by Him and for Him. It pleased the Father God that all fullness be in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must believe that through the resurrection power, God has provided the way towards peace and reconciliation. The apostle Paul was giving those in Colosse the good news about Christ’s pre-eminence. Do we have abundant life in Christ Jesus? The answer is yes. What is your position in Christ?

We must know our position in Christ. Through Christ we are delivered from the power of darkness. He has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son [see Colossians 1:13]. How wonderful this is, to be moved from one place to another in Christ. This is what translated means. When we believe in Christ death and resurrection, we have been moved to another place into the kingdom of the Son of God. We are raised up together with Him and He has made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus [see Ephesians 2:6].

Our position has changed when we believed in Jesus as the son of God.

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18

Christ is the head of the body. It is through Christ that we become the head and not the tail through the obedience of the word of God. Christ is the standard to a higher status, for all things was created by Him and for Him. Christ is the mystery of God because of the redemption and reconciliation for all humanity. Christ is the wisdom of God. All Christians have the spirit of Christ within them, and this is the hope of their glory.

Once we were alienated and enemies in our mind to do wicked works, but now we have been reconciled through Christ [see Colossians 1:21]. Through faith we walk in Christ and not in the way of the wicked. Anything that would take us away from Christ must be taken to the cross of Christ in prayer and renounced. Give up, refused, and resigned to have any connection with any form of evil. Be cleansed from all forms of wickedness.

We must believe this is so, in the name of Jesus. We may struggle with this for a time, but victory is in Jesus as we yield our bodies to the Lord and our mind from thinking evil things. Cleansed from evil in that we may be presented to God through the blood of Christ as unblameable.

“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” Colossians 1:22

We are to continue in faith knowing that we belong to Christ instead of this world. We should be grounded and settled in the hope of the gospel of Christ. That all things belong to Christ. That we are knitted together through His love and given the assurances of understanding that He will work out for good every aspect of our life. Every day we can see the glory of God in our lives. Christ has given us a new position, and our prayers should reflect that position we have in Christ. Remember every day we are victorious for all thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers are in God’s hand.