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For we are the temple of the living God. 2 Corinthians 6:16
We live in a body-conscious world. Everywhere you look there are advertisements for new diet programs or the latest exercise machine. Of course, staying healthy and physically fit is important—it’s the foundation for everything else we do.
But there is more than one reason to exercise and eat nutritionally. Some singles do it to attract other singles. Wives do it to make husbands happy (and vice versa). And sometimes we do it to meet personal goals. But all too often our motivations for staying fit are temporary. When a particular goal is met, we lapse back into our bad habits and get comfortable again with those extra pounds. What we need is a permanent reason to stay in shape—one that lasts as long as we live. Fortunately, Christians have such a reason.
The day we became a Christian another dimension was added to our body: the Spirit of Christ came to dwell in us (Acts 4:31). Unlike the days of Moses when the Spirit of God dwelt in the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34), or in Solomon’s day when the Spirit of God filled the temple (2 Chronicles 7:1-3), now the Spirit of Christ dwells in all who believer Him to be Lord.
God wants us to glorify Him in all things—including in our bodies. We are called to present ourselves to God as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1), giving Him complete ownership of who we are. By taking care of ourselves, we are taking care of the place where He dwells. Being lazy and gluttonous is not only unhealthful, it also demonstrates a lack of stewardship of “the temple of the living God.” To allow our bodies to fall into disrepair is the New Testament equivalent of allowing the Old Testament tabernacle or Temple to begin to crumble. Every Christian is a “living stone” (1 Peter 2:5). Joined together, we make up the temple of God on this earth today, the place where He dwells (1 Peter 2:5).
If you need a permanent reason to take care of your body through careful eating and regular exercise, let it be to demonstrate your stewardship of part of the creation of God; to provide a respectful place for the Spirit of Christ to dwell.
Heavenly Father, Forgive me for not always caring properly for my personal part of your wonderful creation. Renew my will to make choices that glorify you. Amen.
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