Every Body Matters

Many Christians believe that the most important part of our devotion to God takes place from the chin up. We focus on gaining more head knowledge. We study scripture. We pray. We attend Sunday school. While knowledge of the scriptures is very important for spiritual growth, physical health is also important, because it allows you to better serve God and live a fulfilling life. How much does God want me to care for my physical body? Good question... What do the scriptures say about caring for your physical body? 

1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 ESV Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 

I love food. There are very few things that I do not enjoy eating. It is so easy to become enslaved to food. A sweet treat has immediate reward and delayed consequences. A piece of my favorite pie gives me immediate satisfaction, but it doesn't have immediate consequences. After eating a piece of pie my waist size does grow immediately. My pants are not instantly to small. However, if I was to eat a pie a day over an extended period of time I am going to get fat. The opposite is true as well. Exercise has an immediate consequence and a delayed reward. If I exercise my muscles will ache. The pain will be almost instant, but the reward of continued exercise is delayed. I must exercise every day for a long period of time in order to lose weight, gain strength and stamina. Many people are over weight and unhealthy because they're enslaved to food. They eat too much and they exercise too little. They have heart attacks and get diabetes. 

1 Corinthians 3:17 ESV If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 

If your health is poor, then you will lack the strength you need to serve God. Everything we do reveals the condition of our hearts. Yes, even the things we choose to eat and drink can say a lot about how we honor God. If it matters to be disciplined about reading the Bible and praying, it matters to stay healthy. I don’t believe that God is calling all of us all to be muscle bound athletes in perfect health. But we have all been given living, breathing bodies. Our bodies are gifts from God. You wouldn’t trash a precious gift from a good friend, would you? So, in the same way, you shouldn't trash your bodies. God calls us to do our best with the gift he has given us. Some of us are given near perfect health and others have health challenges. No matter where you are, steward this gift well. The Bible has a lot to say about healthy living and how our health can honor God. Again, all the gifts God has given us are meant to honor him. So, we can and should honor him with our bodies. 

Third John 1:2 ESV Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 

Ultimately, our lives are meant to honor and glorify God. Getting up each morning and choosing wholesome food to eat, exercising, and taking care of our physical health honors God. As Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells within our bodies. Finally, this is the only body we have. We do not get another one. Our bodies cannot be replaced. We should value all that God has given us and steward it well. Treat your body well and give thanks to God for this beautiful gift. Because Every Body Matters!!!