Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food. Now, God will destroy also the one and the other. The body is not for immorality but the Lord's. Also the Lord, the body. Now, God raising the Lord also is raising us through His power.*
What does it mean the body is for the Lord? And what does it mean when Paul writes to us do you not know the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, that you are not your own, you were bought with a price?* The concept of redemption in the Old Testament was about redeeming a relative, purchasing his land that he lost because of debt. In Christ redemption is a spiritual blessing we receive from the riches of God's grace.* Paul writes by grace through redemption we are justified and it is through His blood. We are purchased from the debt of sin, we are not bought like one would buy a slave. It is a new covenant in His blood thus we are bound to Christ in this covenant. This speaks of our nature changing. Like the Old temple that was built by the hand of sinful man residing on a corrupt earth, a corrupt body, likewise the Spirit abides in us, in a corrupt body in which sin dwells and evil is near. In this weakness we see the concept of grace, that it is His power perfecting us in this weakness of the sinful flesh. He is raising us to walk in newness of Life. A key to walking in newness of Life is presenting the body a living sacrifice unto holiness. For this reason the body is for the Lord.
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, this is your reasonable service.*
The body a living sacrifice is unto holiness, this is the sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. Our reasonable service and high calling is to become like Jesus, to share in His holy character.* But there is a problem, though God's seed dwells in me and I delight in the laws of God, I find myself in this body in which sin dwells. I have not the power to practice the things I will but do the things I hate. The very fact I struggle with this is an indication I am a child of God. Those who have God's spirit within them are partakers of His divine nature, these are children of God who are called to holiness, to grow up in maturity, to become sons and daughters of God. We are no longer of the sinful nature of the flesh but exist of God thus our true identity is of the Spirit. A slave nor a servant belongs in the house of God forever but a son does. Therefore our high calling and reasonable service is about growing up into our salvation, making sure of our calling. And the purpose of the Church Paul writes is that we grow up into Him truth in love, so that we conform to His image. Then we are truly Christian, Christ like. The body is for the Lord, as in this body sin dwells, thus for those called to a higher purpose, they are called to present the body a living sacrifice. The calling and service is not about tithing and giving, nor living to the letter of the law as these did not perfect men in the Old. Nor is it about a vocation, nor going off to a foreign land though God might use such to establish, to increase faith and build trust.
For physical discipline exists little value, but godliness of value for all having promise in the present life and the coming.*
God is dealing with the issue of sin through condemning sin in the flesh. To us who are spiritual the gift of God is eternal life. But we exist in a body in which sin dwells, until redemption of the possession, the body. I am not a slave nor servant, not owned by God, this is not the concept that Paul wants us to understand, no, but we are children of God, spiritual, and the body in which sin dwells is against the spirit, thus the body belongs to the Lord, to be subjected to the discipline of God. What value is there if I discipline the body physically and neglect godliness? This is why the kingdom of God is not about food and drink. What good is managing my money if I neglect my soul? What is all the world's goods if I loose my soul? Spiritual discipline has a promise here on earth, as in heaven, and godliness produces the fruit of this promise here on earth; Life in Christ. There is no condemnation in Christ but discipline of the body for the believer is like condemning sin in the flesh, putting it to death, and being raised into newness of Life.
Now, you exist Christ's body and a member of it.*
If I exist Christ's body and sexual immorality is a sin against my body then sexual immorality is a sin against the body of Christ. The body is for the Lord so that it is purified from sin. We flee sexual immorality because unlike other sin it is a sin against the body. Overcoming the body in which sin dwells is like the athlete training to run a race. This requires discipline of the body, and endurance which intended work is maturity, which is being a saint, holy. Training, endurance, maturity. Like an athlete if you train to fast, pushing to hard, you will burn out or hurt yourself. If you have feeble knees stay on the straight path, so that you can be healed, Paul writes. He ran this race seeking the prize of the high call, of holiness, to be like Jesus in this body, not that he had obtained it nor will in this body, but he strives for it, because it is his calling and purpose in this body. An athlete must know when to push himself and when to rest. This requires understanding and discipline of the body, which will complain and question. Here is where it is important that trust be established, without it no one will endure discipline. Also the body does not want to be subjected to discipline so there will be complaining, questioning... this type of venting is natural for the one displining the body, like the athlete training. The key is to encourage and to empower so men do not stumble in this race. Judging and condemnation of the natural will cause a root of bitterness, which defiles many, causing them to stumble. It is a sin to be a stumbling block to your brother, who is spiritual, judging him by the natural, while he is trying to present his body in which sin dwells to the Lord.
knowing that the proving of your faith produces endurance, the one having endurance, possesses its intended purpose; so that existing mature and whole, lacking in nothing.*
Wholeness, lacking in nothing is all these things that are added to us for seeking first His kingdom and righteousness. Seeking first His righteousness is not about money but about the seed which has been planted in us growing up to bear fruit, of righteousness, which is also fruit of the Spirit. Seeking first His righteousness is about sharing in His holy character, this is the whole point of consecration, that we are a people set apart, His possession, until we receive redemption of the body. Thus this is our reasonable service and high calling. In regards to this, I pray as Paul that you be guarded from those in the church who are out of place, out of order, who have went out on their own, no longer walking in truth.* The exaltation of Christ in the body is best seen in presenting the body a living sacrifice. If we live in this body it is Christ's, to die in this body is gain because we will be with Christ no longer hindered by this weakness.* To present it a living sacrifice unto holiness is our reasonable service, because it is against the Spirit, our true nature. It is not giving, doing good works, helping widows and orphan in and of themselves that is pure religion but these and purification of the body of sin, living unstained from the world, this is pure religion. And this living sacrifice speaks of Christ existing Lord, of my body, and that the body belongs to the Lord. This is true lordship, that I have consecrated my heart, Christ, Lord, which implies I have entered this reasonable service, presenting my body a living sacrifice to the Lord.
Now, all contend in a race to possess self control, this so that to receive a perishable crown. Now, we an imperishable. I do not run aimlessly, not like as a boxer beating the air, but I discipline my body and bring into slavery, by any means proclaiming to others, unless myself becoming, becoming disqualified.*
The natural man is a slave to sin, so unless one is born anew they have no ability to overcome sin. Those spiritual are children of God, not like slaves bought at a price to work for God, no, this is misunderstanding or intentional misuse of the scriptures. But it is true for us, the body is a slave to whom it obeys. Understanding we are indebted to our true nature, of the Spirit, of divine nature, and not of the flesh and sin is important. The body is a slave to that which it obeys, to sin leading to death or righteousness that leads to life. What fruit do we get if we present our body to sin which is against our true nature? This is why we present the body, in which sin dwells, to the Lord, unto holiness.
Think of the athlete pushing himself past what his body knows and understands until he reaches a plateau, a stride, this is where self discipline of the body is needed and endurance is achieved. So that he finishes the race, pushes past his questioning body and mind. The body warns us of issues but also of things it doesn't understand, so there is often a fine line between real trouble and the body questioning discipline. We press through doubt and fear, by keeping our eyes on Jesus, through faith overcoming, holding on to courage to endure. The true purpose of the race, is not serving, teaching, or even evangelism which are gifts given, but to run the race set before us, to reach the finish line of this most high calling and reasonable service, so that we grow up into the knowledge of the Lord and share in His holy character. In this calling, in this race the body is presented a living sacrifice, for the Lord. Think of the great cloud of witnesses in this way, of those around us also running and in need of endurance, if we were to fall back, or be disqualified because we give in to the desires of the flesh, how does this effect others? Ask the alcoholic, the drug and sex addict about the need to endure, as just one time, and they submit again to a yoke of slavery. It is in the proving, the testing that endurance is doing its intended work to produce maturity as we abide in truth.
For I am speaking as human, through your fleshly weakness, for just as presenting that your member to impurity and to lawlessness leading to lawlessness, so now present your member to righteousness, leading to holiness.*
Our reasonable service can be said another way; present your member, the body, to righteousness, leading to holiness. As a child of God what you possess leads you into holiness. You are meant to partake of the things of God, not from the altar of demons. We see the true meaning of reaping and sowing in regards to the spirit, and body; if you sow to the Spirit you reap life. Present the body in which sin dwells a living sacrifice, present it to righteousness, leading to holiness. This is your reasonable service.* Reason in your mind, the body dead and belonging to the Lord. In Spirit you exist a child of God, but the body belongs to the Lord, as only through His power will it be put to death.
The words holiness, concentration, and sanctification are often used interchangeably, but I like the word holiness in regards to our high call and reasonable service. There is sanctification by His blood, but holiness is about maturity, it comes through consecration in truth, abiding in the words of Jesus alone. In the Old it was water, blood, and Spirit but in the new the testimony is Spirit, blood, and water. Water being the purification of the body of sin which is achieved through presenting the body to the Lord, unto holiness. The internal beauty of such a person who has consecrated their hearts and body to the Lord is precious in the eyes of God. This kind of beauty producing fruit is like salt that is savory and will win people over to the Lord. This is why growth is the purpose of the Church, those prepared beforehand, will do good works, it is their mature nature, so to walk as Christ.
Now, the one joined to the Lord is one Spirit with Him.*
We are joined in Spirit with the Lord, we are kindred, he being first fruit of a new creation. The body is for the Lord, united in his death. The word joined means glued together, adhered to, united with. We are united in life in Spirit, and united in body with His death. He is our high priest for this purpose to continue to intercede for us, in regards to the body in which sin dwells. Prayer and supplication in this battle is important, because the carnal mind doesn't see the things of faith. You present the body in which sin dwells, unto holiness, which will renew the mind. We become spiritual, a new creation but exist in a body in which sin dwells. In Spirit we are righteous, but not in our body. We are not joined in body with Christ, as sin dwells in our body. In between is our soul, thus as Peter writes the goal of our faith is salvation of our soul. It is God's supernatural power that transforms and renews the mind. As giving the body to be burned without agape love is nothing, so is presenting the body without the internal consecration of the heart to the Lord. Such a sacrifice, a form of self-abasement of the flesh, of the body is for nothing, "Such regulations indeed have wisdom, in self made religion, and false humility and harshness of the body, not any value by the side of gratification of the flesh."* We are not slaves, nor servants, we are children, called to freedom, and son-ship.
Resisting, not yet resisting to the point of bloodshed striving against sin. Also forgetting the calling upon you, that addresses you as sons? My son do not neglect the discipline of the Lord, nor lose heart when proved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and flogs all He receives as sons.*
What does it mean the body is for the Lord? And what does it mean when Paul writes to us do you not know the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, that you are not your own, you were bought with a price?* The concept of redemption in the Old Testament was about redeeming a relative, purchasing his land that he lost because of debt. In Christ redemption is a spiritual blessing we receive from the riches of God's grace.* Paul writes by grace through redemption we are justified and it is through His blood. We are purchased from the debt of sin, we are not bought like one would buy a slave. It is a new covenant in His blood thus we are bound to Christ in this covenant. This speaks of our nature changing. Like the Old temple that was built by the hand of sinful man residing on a corrupt earth, a corrupt body, likewise the Spirit abides in us, in a corrupt body in which sin dwells and evil is near. In this weakness we see the concept of grace, that it is His power perfecting us in this weakness of the sinful flesh. He is raising us to walk in newness of Life. A key to walking in newness of Life is presenting the body a living sacrifice unto holiness. For this reason the body is for the Lord.
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, this is your reasonable service.*
The body a living sacrifice is unto holiness, this is the sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. Our reasonable service and high calling is to become like Jesus, to share in His holy character.* But there is a problem, though God's seed dwells in me and I delight in the laws of God, I find myself in this body in which sin dwells. I have not the power to practice the things I will but do the things I hate. The very fact I struggle with this is an indication I am a child of God. Those who have God's spirit within them are partakers of His divine nature, these are children of God who are called to holiness, to grow up in maturity, to become sons and daughters of God. We are no longer of the sinful nature of the flesh but exist of God thus our true identity is of the Spirit. A slave nor a servant belongs in the house of God forever but a son does. Therefore our high calling and reasonable service is about growing up into our salvation, making sure of our calling. And the purpose of the Church Paul writes is that we grow up into Him truth in love, so that we conform to His image. Then we are truly Christian, Christ like. The body is for the Lord, as in this body sin dwells, thus for those called to a higher purpose, they are called to present the body a living sacrifice. The calling and service is not about tithing and giving, nor living to the letter of the law as these did not perfect men in the Old. Nor is it about a vocation, nor going off to a foreign land though God might use such to establish, to increase faith and build trust.
For physical discipline exists little value, but godliness of value for all having promise in the present life and the coming.*
God is dealing with the issue of sin through condemning sin in the flesh. To us who are spiritual the gift of God is eternal life. But we exist in a body in which sin dwells, until redemption of the possession, the body. I am not a slave nor servant, not owned by God, this is not the concept that Paul wants us to understand, no, but we are children of God, spiritual, and the body in which sin dwells is against the spirit, thus the body belongs to the Lord, to be subjected to the discipline of God. What value is there if I discipline the body physically and neglect godliness? This is why the kingdom of God is not about food and drink. What good is managing my money if I neglect my soul? What is all the world's goods if I loose my soul? Spiritual discipline has a promise here on earth, as in heaven, and godliness produces the fruit of this promise here on earth; Life in Christ. There is no condemnation in Christ but discipline of the body for the believer is like condemning sin in the flesh, putting it to death, and being raised into newness of Life.
Now, you exist Christ's body and a member of it.*
If I exist Christ's body and sexual immorality is a sin against my body then sexual immorality is a sin against the body of Christ. The body is for the Lord so that it is purified from sin. We flee sexual immorality because unlike other sin it is a sin against the body. Overcoming the body in which sin dwells is like the athlete training to run a race. This requires discipline of the body, and endurance which intended work is maturity, which is being a saint, holy. Training, endurance, maturity. Like an athlete if you train to fast, pushing to hard, you will burn out or hurt yourself. If you have feeble knees stay on the straight path, so that you can be healed, Paul writes. He ran this race seeking the prize of the high call, of holiness, to be like Jesus in this body, not that he had obtained it nor will in this body, but he strives for it, because it is his calling and purpose in this body. An athlete must know when to push himself and when to rest. This requires understanding and discipline of the body, which will complain and question. Here is where it is important that trust be established, without it no one will endure discipline. Also the body does not want to be subjected to discipline so there will be complaining, questioning... this type of venting is natural for the one displining the body, like the athlete training. The key is to encourage and to empower so men do not stumble in this race. Judging and condemnation of the natural will cause a root of bitterness, which defiles many, causing them to stumble. It is a sin to be a stumbling block to your brother, who is spiritual, judging him by the natural, while he is trying to present his body in which sin dwells to the Lord.
knowing that the proving of your faith produces endurance, the one having endurance, possesses its intended purpose; so that existing mature and whole, lacking in nothing.*
Wholeness, lacking in nothing is all these things that are added to us for seeking first His kingdom and righteousness. Seeking first His righteousness is not about money but about the seed which has been planted in us growing up to bear fruit, of righteousness, which is also fruit of the Spirit. Seeking first His righteousness is about sharing in His holy character, this is the whole point of consecration, that we are a people set apart, His possession, until we receive redemption of the body. Thus this is our reasonable service and high calling. In regards to this, I pray as Paul that you be guarded from those in the church who are out of place, out of order, who have went out on their own, no longer walking in truth.* The exaltation of Christ in the body is best seen in presenting the body a living sacrifice. If we live in this body it is Christ's, to die in this body is gain because we will be with Christ no longer hindered by this weakness.* To present it a living sacrifice unto holiness is our reasonable service, because it is against the Spirit, our true nature. It is not giving, doing good works, helping widows and orphan in and of themselves that is pure religion but these and purification of the body of sin, living unstained from the world, this is pure religion. And this living sacrifice speaks of Christ existing Lord, of my body, and that the body belongs to the Lord. This is true lordship, that I have consecrated my heart, Christ, Lord, which implies I have entered this reasonable service, presenting my body a living sacrifice to the Lord.
Now, all contend in a race to possess self control, this so that to receive a perishable crown. Now, we an imperishable. I do not run aimlessly, not like as a boxer beating the air, but I discipline my body and bring into slavery, by any means proclaiming to others, unless myself becoming, becoming disqualified.*
The natural man is a slave to sin, so unless one is born anew they have no ability to overcome sin. Those spiritual are children of God, not like slaves bought at a price to work for God, no, this is misunderstanding or intentional misuse of the scriptures. But it is true for us, the body is a slave to whom it obeys. Understanding we are indebted to our true nature, of the Spirit, of divine nature, and not of the flesh and sin is important. The body is a slave to that which it obeys, to sin leading to death or righteousness that leads to life. What fruit do we get if we present our body to sin which is against our true nature? This is why we present the body, in which sin dwells, to the Lord, unto holiness.
Think of the athlete pushing himself past what his body knows and understands until he reaches a plateau, a stride, this is where self discipline of the body is needed and endurance is achieved. So that he finishes the race, pushes past his questioning body and mind. The body warns us of issues but also of things it doesn't understand, so there is often a fine line between real trouble and the body questioning discipline. We press through doubt and fear, by keeping our eyes on Jesus, through faith overcoming, holding on to courage to endure. The true purpose of the race, is not serving, teaching, or even evangelism which are gifts given, but to run the race set before us, to reach the finish line of this most high calling and reasonable service, so that we grow up into the knowledge of the Lord and share in His holy character. In this calling, in this race the body is presented a living sacrifice, for the Lord. Think of the great cloud of witnesses in this way, of those around us also running and in need of endurance, if we were to fall back, or be disqualified because we give in to the desires of the flesh, how does this effect others? Ask the alcoholic, the drug and sex addict about the need to endure, as just one time, and they submit again to a yoke of slavery. It is in the proving, the testing that endurance is doing its intended work to produce maturity as we abide in truth.
For I am speaking as human, through your fleshly weakness, for just as presenting that your member to impurity and to lawlessness leading to lawlessness, so now present your member to righteousness, leading to holiness.*
Our reasonable service can be said another way; present your member, the body, to righteousness, leading to holiness. As a child of God what you possess leads you into holiness. You are meant to partake of the things of God, not from the altar of demons. We see the true meaning of reaping and sowing in regards to the spirit, and body; if you sow to the Spirit you reap life. Present the body in which sin dwells a living sacrifice, present it to righteousness, leading to holiness. This is your reasonable service.* Reason in your mind, the body dead and belonging to the Lord. In Spirit you exist a child of God, but the body belongs to the Lord, as only through His power will it be put to death.
The words holiness, concentration, and sanctification are often used interchangeably, but I like the word holiness in regards to our high call and reasonable service. There is sanctification by His blood, but holiness is about maturity, it comes through consecration in truth, abiding in the words of Jesus alone. In the Old it was water, blood, and Spirit but in the new the testimony is Spirit, blood, and water. Water being the purification of the body of sin which is achieved through presenting the body to the Lord, unto holiness. The internal beauty of such a person who has consecrated their hearts and body to the Lord is precious in the eyes of God. This kind of beauty producing fruit is like salt that is savory and will win people over to the Lord. This is why growth is the purpose of the Church, those prepared beforehand, will do good works, it is their mature nature, so to walk as Christ.
Now, the one joined to the Lord is one Spirit with Him.*
We are joined in Spirit with the Lord, we are kindred, he being first fruit of a new creation. The body is for the Lord, united in his death. The word joined means glued together, adhered to, united with. We are united in life in Spirit, and united in body with His death. He is our high priest for this purpose to continue to intercede for us, in regards to the body in which sin dwells. Prayer and supplication in this battle is important, because the carnal mind doesn't see the things of faith. You present the body in which sin dwells, unto holiness, which will renew the mind. We become spiritual, a new creation but exist in a body in which sin dwells. In Spirit we are righteous, but not in our body. We are not joined in body with Christ, as sin dwells in our body. In between is our soul, thus as Peter writes the goal of our faith is salvation of our soul. It is God's supernatural power that transforms and renews the mind. As giving the body to be burned without agape love is nothing, so is presenting the body without the internal consecration of the heart to the Lord. Such a sacrifice, a form of self-abasement of the flesh, of the body is for nothing, "Such regulations indeed have wisdom, in self made religion, and false humility and harshness of the body, not any value by the side of gratification of the flesh."* We are not slaves, nor servants, we are children, called to freedom, and son-ship.
Resisting, not yet resisting to the point of bloodshed striving against sin. Also forgetting the calling upon you, that addresses you as sons? My son do not neglect the discipline of the Lord, nor lose heart when proved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and flogs all He receives as sons.*
Why was Jesus flogged? for our sin. He condemned sin in the flesh. And by His flogging we are healed. The discipline of the Lord is for the purpose of condemning sin in the flesh. If the Spirit of Christ is in you, you do not exist of the flesh, but of the Spirit, so there is no condemnation in Christ. The concept Paul uses is of slavery, though we are not slaves, he uses this to help us understand. Just as the body is for the Lord and being bought doesn't imply we are slaves for His service and use, no, we are sons. But the body is to be presented as a slave to the Lord, because sin dwells there. Those of the flesh are slaves of the flesh, they are indebted to sin. Those in Christ, are indebted to God, slaves of God, of righteousness though they exist in a body in which sin dwells. This concept is given so that we know our true identity in Christ, being that of the Spirit, of righteousness though sin dwells in my body, it is not I. The body in which sin dwells has been crucified with Christ, it has participated in His death, so in your mind, in your reasoning, consider this true. And though you still have the desires of the flesh, your body is for the Lord, present it unto the Lord, a living sacrifice unto holiness.
For whom died, dying to sin once and for all, now who lives, lives to God. In this way also reason yourself existing dead to sin, now, alive to God in Christ Jesus.*
Think about this, there is no condemnation in Christ. Yes, the blood of Jesus brought about our justification, it is the finished work of Christ, I am no longer regarded as one of the flesh, but as one who is spiritual, and who can judge the spiritual, one who has the mind of Christ? A child is under a mentor until he grows up, then he becomes a son, putting aside childish things, no longer looking into a mirror dimly, he sees who he is in Christ, beholding the glory of Christ reflected in the body. This is a person who walks in truth, and abides in love, he is confident of who is in Christ and is not shaken by the circumstances of the world around him, but is firmly established in the Lord. How did he get there? having been rooted and grounded, faith in love, and growing up into Him.
Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food...
We read of Paul debating with the philosophers of his day. Here we see such logic of the natural man's thinking which is completely logical to them. Unless one becomes spiritual how can they understand the things of God? Paul also writes how can they believe in creation if they do not believe and know the creator? They must see by faith, not by sight. Certainly we are not to force such upon anyone, but give them the keys to understanding. The natural man reasons the body desires food therefore it is good for the body. In other words it says if my body desires it, it must be good for me. Why would it desire it if it is bad? This is the struggle of the person over eating, why does the body desire food when it doesn't need to? This is the sinful nature and its logical reasoning.
The natural man desires that of the body but the spiritual man desires food from heaven that endures unto Life. But even the natural man understands discipline of the body. Paul himself understands this using the Olympic athlete as illustrations of this, but they disipline the body for earthly reasons. The mind of the natural man we must battle when we become spiritual, as the carnal mind, this member of weakness, evil wars against to bring us into captivity to sin in the flesh. As we are transformed the carnal mind is renewed to become like the mind of Christ. The weakness of the sinful nature is why the Law did not perfect men unto righteousness. Thus in the new we will rule over sin under grace, as we are a new creation, spiritual, and have power to perfect us, truth in love, so that we become holy like Jesus.
Strive for peace with all and holiness, without which no ones beholds the Lord.*
When we look into the perfect law of liberty, which is the truth, the words of Jesus, and endure we grow up into maturity. A mature person bears his own load spiritually, he has looked intently into truth not turning away, also he accepts correction and discipline. The spiritual plays into the natural, this Paul strived to set an example of, bearing his own load, working hard with his hands not living off the tithing so not to be a stumbling block to others. Those living off the tithing set the example of an entitlement mindset. The goal of the race is to become like Jesus and it requires one to bear their own load. Holiness is maturity which is to be conformed to His image, like looking into a mirror and seeing what is reflected back to be Christ like, thus we behold the Lord. The body is for the Lord, self disciplined for the purification of the body of sin. This is presenting the member in which sin dwells a living sacrifice. Grace is a service to us as it differentiates between ruling over the desires of the flesh through discipline of the body in a natural way and that through the power of the Spirit. Really, enduring this race is about what motivates one to run, which speaks about purpose, not about an earthly crown and prosperity but about a heavenly crown, the glory of God in us. Think about the glory of God being reflected to the world through us, like a Light unto a dark hurting world.
Now, may the God of peace sanctify you completely, and may your spirit, soul, and body, be kept whole and blameless in the presence of our Lord.*
To Live Is Christ
Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food...
We read of Paul debating with the philosophers of his day. Here we see such logic of the natural man's thinking which is completely logical to them. Unless one becomes spiritual how can they understand the things of God? Paul also writes how can they believe in creation if they do not believe and know the creator? They must see by faith, not by sight. Certainly we are not to force such upon anyone, but give them the keys to understanding. The natural man reasons the body desires food therefore it is good for the body. In other words it says if my body desires it, it must be good for me. Why would it desire it if it is bad? This is the struggle of the person over eating, why does the body desire food when it doesn't need to? This is the sinful nature and its logical reasoning.
The natural man desires that of the body but the spiritual man desires food from heaven that endures unto Life. But even the natural man understands discipline of the body. Paul himself understands this using the Olympic athlete as illustrations of this, but they disipline the body for earthly reasons. The mind of the natural man we must battle when we become spiritual, as the carnal mind, this member of weakness, evil wars against to bring us into captivity to sin in the flesh. As we are transformed the carnal mind is renewed to become like the mind of Christ. The weakness of the sinful nature is why the Law did not perfect men unto righteousness. Thus in the new we will rule over sin under grace, as we are a new creation, spiritual, and have power to perfect us, truth in love, so that we become holy like Jesus.
Strive for peace with all and holiness, without which no ones beholds the Lord.*
When we look into the perfect law of liberty, which is the truth, the words of Jesus, and endure we grow up into maturity. A mature person bears his own load spiritually, he has looked intently into truth not turning away, also he accepts correction and discipline. The spiritual plays into the natural, this Paul strived to set an example of, bearing his own load, working hard with his hands not living off the tithing so not to be a stumbling block to others. Those living off the tithing set the example of an entitlement mindset. The goal of the race is to become like Jesus and it requires one to bear their own load. Holiness is maturity which is to be conformed to His image, like looking into a mirror and seeing what is reflected back to be Christ like, thus we behold the Lord. The body is for the Lord, self disciplined for the purification of the body of sin. This is presenting the member in which sin dwells a living sacrifice. Grace is a service to us as it differentiates between ruling over the desires of the flesh through discipline of the body in a natural way and that through the power of the Spirit. Really, enduring this race is about what motivates one to run, which speaks about purpose, not about an earthly crown and prosperity but about a heavenly crown, the glory of God in us. Think about the glory of God being reflected to the world through us, like a Light unto a dark hurting world.
Now, may the God of peace sanctify you completely, and may your spirit, soul, and body, be kept whole and blameless in the presence of our Lord.*
Truly, the body for the Lord is dependence upon Him. We want to become who we are in Christ and the flesh is against this. The seed of God in you leads into holiness so that you bear fruit of righteousness and life. Our purpose is about being chosen and called to run this race, striving in this weakness of the body for godliness and life. God is working out all things for our good, and anything we ask we will become. And all this will be added unto us, given to us for this purpose. The body is for the Lord, so present it a living sacrifice, reason yourself dead to sin. Discipline the body like an athlete training for a race, endure the temptation of the body to sin. Endure the body complaining against the discipline, do not let a root of bitterness develop by throwing off a judging mindset, bear your own load. Do not become frustrated but walk in that already obtained, fixing your eyes on Jesus, looking ahead, striving for the purpose unto which you have been chosen and called. This is the real meaning of the body is for the Lord, and what it means that God disciplines those He loves for our benefit. Those who participate in his death also participate in His life. The body is for the Lord, so that you become like Jesus, sharing in His Life and holy character.
To Live Is Christ