OUR BODIES Devotion 15 of 15 Our bodies are the remnants of what has been cursed. They cannot enter into the kingdom of God, as it is written, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Corinthians 15:50). They are a weakening factor, as confirmed in the Law, which was "weak through the flesh" (Rom 8:3). They are described as "vile" (Phil 3:20), "earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7), having the frailty of a "tabernacle" or tent (2 Cor 5:1). Because of their incompatibility with what we have in Christ Jesus, they cause us to "groan," anxiously anticipating liberation from them (Rom 8:23; 2 Cor 5:2). They promote such a fierce struggle that perceptive souls cry out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24). Although countless numbers of God's people hear of these things, nevertheless these are the facts in the case. We ought to acquaint ourselves with them, and learn to fight the good fight of faith with them in mind.
" . . . Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body . . . Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? . . . Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:13-20, KJV)
All of this must not move us to view out bodies as inconsequential. They cannot themselves enter into the presence of the Lord, but they can, if not subjected in the power of faith, cause us to be disqualified for the prize placed before us. This is why Paul said, " But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV).
Until our bodies have been redeemed, we are custodians of them. It is our privilege to glorify God within them, and redemption obligates us to do so (1 Cor 6:20). If you are reluctant to promote the glory of God through your body, remember the words of the Spirit. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the THINGS DONE IN HIS BODY, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV). Be a good steward! God can enable you to leave this world a good steward, having not only controlled your body, but giving it as a living sacrifice to God, which we are admonished to do. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1 KJV).
While we wait for the adoption, we "groan" in travail. We are anxious for the final deliverance. As it is written, "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23 NIV). The "new creature" (2 Cor 5:17), or what has been "born of God" (1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18) longs for the new body – the resurrection body (2 Cor 5:2-4). Then, total freedom from the tug of nature will forever be put away from the redeemed.
When we were baptized into Christ, we our bodies were to be the Lord, as described in the sixth chapter of Romans. "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God . . . "I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness" (Romans 6:13,19 KJV). Perhaps you did not know at the time that your body is a member of Christ, but you still effectively dedicated it to Him. That is what is meant by Hebrews 10:22). "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water" (NIV).
Dear believer, let nothing keep you out of heaven! Remember the solemn words of our Lord, and declare war against every form of sin. "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell" (Matthew 5:29,30, NIV). Your body does not belong to you. It is the member of Christ! Make it your quest to glorify God in your body!
Take heart, and hear what the Spirit is saying to you. "Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness" (Romans 6:13 NIV). Your body does not belong to you. It is the member of Christ! Make it your quest to glorify God in your body.
The Spirit speaks precisely to every believer. "I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness" (Romans 6:19 NIV). Your body does not belong to you. It is the member of Christ! Make it your quest to glorify God in your body! That can only be done if it is made subordinate to you – the one who have been begotten of God. Your body is to you what Canaan was to Israel. Although there are inimical forces within it, it is to be possessed, inhabited, and conquered for the glory of God. That, dear reader, is a great commission! If it is not done, nothing else that is done in the name of the Lord is of any consequence. All other conquests will be discounted if this one is not fulfilled.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to daily die to this world by subordinated my own body, bringing it into subjection to Your good and acceptable and perfect will.
– Tomorrow: