Embracing God's Best for My Body

In review of Romans 12:1 it says, “Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Romans 12:1 (MSG)

Bottom Line:

In view of all God has done to offer ourselves up as a living sacrifice to God, pleasing to Him.

What this means to me:

In view of all God has done for me, I should offer myself up as a living sacrifice to God, pleasing to him. Taking care of my body is a spiritual discipline much like prayer, worship, or Bible study. God wants me to succeed at this. Paul explains, with God helping me, “Take my everyday, ordinary life — my sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering” Romans 12:1 (MSG). In taking care of my body, I worship God. And it’s never too late to start this. Before starting my journey of getting healthy, I need to realize that it’s a step of faith. Like Peter stepping out of the boat, every step I take toward better health increases my trust in God. Every step helps me expect the best from him. The same verse also says, “Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” The Bible embraces three incredibly important truths about the journey of getting healthy.

• God made my body. Psalm 139:13 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (NIV). Physical health is as much about stewardship as where I give your resources.
• Jesus paid for my body. The Bible says, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT). On the cross, Jesus paid not just for my soul but also my body. I honor God when I take care of your body.
• The Holy Spirit lives in my body. Good health is one way you take care of God’s temple.

When I fully embrace these truths from God’s Word about my body, I’ll be ready for my body’s brand new year. Knowing the truth about my body makes acting on that truth a step of faith. It means I’m no longer getting healthy just to live a few more years, fit into a particular item of clothing in my closet, or look more physically attractive. I’m getting healthy as a way to worship God. That’s a terrific and empowering reason to get healthy this year and truly the most sensible and appropriate way to worship him.