My bible reading has me in 1 Corinthians… One of the recurring things that grabbing my attention is that my body, in all its glorious largeness, is the temple of God’s Spirit.
1Co 3:16-17 (ESV) Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1 Cor. 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.
1Co 7:23 (ESV) You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
(Cross Reference)
Rom. 12:1-2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The whole concept that the Holy Spirit of God lives, dwells, abides, and allows me to be his “temple” is completely mind blowing!!! It also forces me to examine every aspect of my life and to make sure I am not “defiling” the temple. There needs to be “guards at the door” so to speak, filtering the things that are screaming for my attention, use, and acceptance.
There are several Old Testament examples about the temple (tabernacle) being defiles. I am reminded of Nadab and Abihu. (Leviticus 10). They offered “unauthorized” or “strange” fire and were neither authorized to do so or ask too… The Lord killed them for it. Or what about Hophni and Phinehas (1 Sam.2:22) who were having sex with women in the door way of the tabernacle (predecessor to the temple)… God killed them…
I am convicted as I think about 1 Cor.10:31… “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” What am I allowing into my body (temple) that does not give God glory? My specific frustration is with my “size”. As an old friend once said… “a man of your strength”. Translated he means, fat ass.
I do not want my health to be a hindrance in God getting the glory in my life. So I have determined to make some changes that will help me with this. My biggest problem is that I am not active. I sit all day at a desk. Sit at home studying and reading and “surfing”. It is time to get active and to change my diet. I have begun walking in the afternoons and have changed my food intake and portion. Baby steps, right? I have to start somewhere. Lets see if I can drop some weight and get in shape for no other reason than to glorify God so I can be the more effective for the Kingdom of God.
