"Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31
Book store shelves are filled with diet plans, workout plans and cookbooks of "healthy" recipes. Looking through those options is overwhelming to say the least! And then some are "biblical" because they contain a bible verse on each page or claim to completely return to Christ's diet, or the diets of the Old Testament. I'm sure that each has and can be beneficial, but what are we supposed to use and follow?
Here I want to remind us all that we are free in Christ to weigh through (yes, pun intended!) and choose what option seems possible and applicable for each of us. The Bible does NOT say there is only one way to eat or exercise! Instead, there are certain truths or principals that are central for helping you and I decide what is beneficial and will help us take responsibility for our bodies.
First, you and I are made in God's image, body and all (Genesis 1:26-27)! Everything we do with our body is an opportunity to reflect God to the world around us. When we pig out, choose to watch TV over going for a walk for the 7th night in a row in a week, or feel defeated because of our weight or shape, what are we reflecting? Are we reflecting a good and gracious God who cares for ALL of His creation? AND as a believer, remember, your body is not just your own - it was bought with Christ's blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)!
Second, You and I are called to be stewards of the body God has gifted us with. Take a few minutes and read Psalm 139. He knit that body of yours together! This was not just for His pleasure and enjoyment, but that body He gave you is the first gift He gave you in your life! We know that He is the giver of every good and perfect gift - your body was not a mistake. In fact, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures" (James 1:17-18).
Third, we are called to care for others AND ourselves. Oftentimes, people feel guilty or selfish for spending money on better food choices. Pastors and others in ministry can feel guilty for spending an hour at the gym rather than visiting the sick in the hospitals or working to share the gospel with those who do not know Jesus' goodness and gracious forgiveness. Yes, we are to care for the well-fare of others, for those who have no food or shelter - our hearts should be breaking right now for them! However, if you neglect to care for the body God has given you, how long will you be able to care for others? If you take care of your body, exercise regularly and feed yourself wisely, chances are your body will be available for many more years to care for the needs of others.
Lastly, and this is the culmination of everything above, the GOAL is to honor and glorify God! Good health, strong muscles and more energy are enjoyable and beneficial outcomes of exercising and making healthy food choices, but those should not be our goal. Read the verse above, 1 Corinthians 10:31. There is no goal greater than to bring God glory and honor with what He has given each of us!!!
Perfect Father, I praise You because You make no mistakes. You created me to have the body I have, and it is one of Your gifts to me. Please guide and direct me to discern how best to take care of my body. Help me fight discouragement and guilt that might keep me from glorifying You. And Lord, help me keep glorifying You as my main goal. In Jesus' Name, Amen..
1 Corinthians 10:31
Book store shelves are filled with diet plans, workout plans and cookbooks of "healthy" recipes. Looking through those options is overwhelming to say the least! And then some are "biblical" because they contain a bible verse on each page or claim to completely return to Christ's diet, or the diets of the Old Testament. I'm sure that each has and can be beneficial, but what are we supposed to use and follow?
Here I want to remind us all that we are free in Christ to weigh through (yes, pun intended!) and choose what option seems possible and applicable for each of us. The Bible does NOT say there is only one way to eat or exercise! Instead, there are certain truths or principals that are central for helping you and I decide what is beneficial and will help us take responsibility for our bodies.
First, you and I are made in God's image, body and all (Genesis 1:26-27)! Everything we do with our body is an opportunity to reflect God to the world around us. When we pig out, choose to watch TV over going for a walk for the 7th night in a row in a week, or feel defeated because of our weight or shape, what are we reflecting? Are we reflecting a good and gracious God who cares for ALL of His creation? AND as a believer, remember, your body is not just your own - it was bought with Christ's blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)!
Second, You and I are called to be stewards of the body God has gifted us with. Take a few minutes and read Psalm 139. He knit that body of yours together! This was not just for His pleasure and enjoyment, but that body He gave you is the first gift He gave you in your life! We know that He is the giver of every good and perfect gift - your body was not a mistake. In fact, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures" (James 1:17-18).
Third, we are called to care for others AND ourselves. Oftentimes, people feel guilty or selfish for spending money on better food choices. Pastors and others in ministry can feel guilty for spending an hour at the gym rather than visiting the sick in the hospitals or working to share the gospel with those who do not know Jesus' goodness and gracious forgiveness. Yes, we are to care for the well-fare of others, for those who have no food or shelter - our hearts should be breaking right now for them! However, if you neglect to care for the body God has given you, how long will you be able to care for others? If you take care of your body, exercise regularly and feed yourself wisely, chances are your body will be available for many more years to care for the needs of others.
Lastly, and this is the culmination of everything above, the GOAL is to honor and glorify God! Good health, strong muscles and more energy are enjoyable and beneficial outcomes of exercising and making healthy food choices, but those should not be our goal. Read the verse above, 1 Corinthians 10:31. There is no goal greater than to bring God glory and honor with what He has given each of us!!!
Perfect Father, I praise You because You make no mistakes. You created me to have the body I have, and it is one of Your gifts to me. Please guide and direct me to discern how best to take care of my body. Help me fight discouragement and guilt that might keep me from glorifying You. And Lord, help me keep glorifying You as my main goal. In Jesus' Name, Amen..
RSS Feed