Adults have roles that identify us. We are professionals –
lawyers, therapists, teachers and public servants, as well as, parents, mentors,
friends, etc. Regardless of who we are to the world in our daily lives, we are,
first and foremost, one of GOD’s people. Acknowledge
that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. Psalm 100:3. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The
world and all its people belong to him. Psalm
24:1
Those who identify with the body of CHRIST, children of GOD,
have a responsibility to live out our roles daily in light of this primary
reality. Additionally, those who GOD purchased for himself by the death, burial
and resurrection of His Son JESUS CHRIST and who no longer have our trespasses counted
against us (2 Corinthians 5:17-19), are
much more than the general population of GOD’s people. We are GOD’s children and
we belong to Him, body and soul.
It is typical for believers to focus on our souls being well with GOD, but not so much our bodies.
Scripture tells us in 1
Corinthians 6 that GOD paid a high price for us – our total beings, all
that makes us complete – and that we do not belong to ourselves. The WORD also says
that GOD cares about what we do with our bodies so we must honor GOD with the
way we use them. This means that we must carefully consider everything we do – “I am allowed to do anything” but not
everything is good for you. 1 Corinthians 6:12
The Apostle Paul in 1
Corinthians 6 speaks specifically to the sexual immorality that was taking
place among the members of the Corinthian church – yes, the church! This tells
us that believers are capable of missing the mark and offending GOD. There are countless
ways, other than sexual sin, in which we may be guilty of using our bodies against
GOD rather than for Him.
To the church in Rome the Apostle Paul pleads: “…give your bodies to God because of all he
has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find
acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1.
GOD gave the best of Himself for and to us – His only Son paid
with His life so we could have eternal life in place of GOD’s wrath and eternal
damnation, which is what we deserve. For this, GOD asks of us only what is
reasonable – that we use our bodies, which actually belong to Him, for Him, 24/7
in our daily routines.
Let us think carefully about what we actually do with those parts of our bodies that could have the greatest impact for GOD.
The HEART – Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it. Proverbs 4:23.
Are our hearts open and receptive towards others or closed off
to our own desires and pre-conceived ideas; and inflexible? Our features
reflect our heart condition. Do we show the world a “yes” face or a “no” face,
so much so that the hurting do not dare to approach us to share their pain,
seek solace and receive hope?
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,
and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For
the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45. Are we being careful with our speech which tells
others what is in our hearts and, by extension, what we actually think about the
GOD we profess?
The HEAD/Mind – “…brothers and –sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” Philippians 4:8.
Are our minds directed to thoughts that are positive, lovely
and uplifting; thoughts that build up our friends, co-workers, and families? Or
are we always thinking of the negative and destructive – that which could tear
down and shame?
Are we seeking to renew our minds to know GOD's perfect will
for us and those with whom we have influence? (Romans 12:2). Are we
filling our minds with GOD’s truth to accurately share His WORD or filling our
minds with the things of the world – all of which are trite and unhelpful to people
in crisis? (2 Timothy 2:15)
The HANDS/Service – "Whatever you do, work at it with your
whole being, for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23
Are we willing to serve and do good works and bear good
fruit for the Kingdom of GOD? Are we just as eager to do “great things” for the
LORD – that which is obvious and noteworthy, but not so much the mundane, the little
things behind the scenes? Are we doing with all our might “whatever your hand finds to do…”(Ecclesiastes 9:10); to serve as unto the LORD, and not for our own glory
or the praise of man?
Psalm 100:2 tells
us to “Serve the LORD with gladness” –
we serve GOD when we serve His people. Barnes'
Notes and Commentary on this verse is reflective of how we ought to do this: Let
it not be with the fear of slaves; not as a matter of compulsion and force; not
with reluctance, moroseness, or gloom. Let it be a cheerful, happy service; let
it be freely rendered, let it be an occasion of joy to the soul. The service of
God is a source of the highest joy that man knows. Amen!
The FEET – How beautiful on the mountains are the feet
of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who
proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah
52:7
Are we using our feet to bring the good news that JESUS is
the hope of the world and the only way to the salvation of mankind, OR running around
telling gossip and rumors, complaining and back-biting?
The WORD says, For
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they
call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe
in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him
unless someone tells them? Romans 10:13-14
The Greek word for gospel
translates as news that’s 'almost too
good to be true.' This is not so. “…Christ
died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was
raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
JESUS Himself tells us:
- “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." Luke 19:10
- "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”” John 10:11,18
Like the angels' announcement of JESUS’ birth, we are to use
our feet to bring “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10).
We must continually be mindful of our mandate to use our
bodies as unto the LORD.
How are we doing?
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Abba Father, YOU are our LORD,
KING, CREATOR and GOD who made us. We are YOURS. Forgive us for careless
and thoughtless living that do not glorify YOU and teach us how to live holy and
completely for YOU with our bodies, souls, and spirits. Remind us that in life
and in death, we belong to YOU and all that we are and have YOU gave for YOUR renown.
Not unto us, O LORD, but to YOU alone does all glory belong. Thank YOU for JESUS
CHRIST our only hope; thank YOU for
sending Him to save us and not to condemn us. We give all glory, all honor, and
all praise to YOUR NAME as we ask all things in JESUS’ NAME.
Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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