A LIVING SACRIFICE
Romans 12:1
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God. And that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
You probably remember the song that goes:
“My body is your sanctuary;
Purify me as gold,
So that I’ll be bold to say;
My body is your sanctuary”
The song combines both scripture I mentioned above, our body is God’s temple and should be pure; holy and acceptable.
It is important that we take note of the oxymoron in Romans 12, “Living sacrifice” a sacrifice is usually a slaughtered animal of some sorts, but here it says we are to be living, breathing, moving sacrifices. This means that every day we are alive; we are to consider our bodies-the temple of the Holy Ghost as a sacrifice.
A sacrifice is simply service, worship, anything or person set apart to be pleasing to God.
If you’ve ever struggled with the desire to do more for God, or serve God better, Romans 12 gives an answer. Presenting ourselves to God is the highest form of sacrifice and worship. It entails never gratifying the flesh but ensuring that every act of ours is committed to honouring God. From our dressing, which should be of Glory and beauty…”Exodus 28:2”, to our eating and drinking, our speech, dance, thoughts; every atom of our being should be aimed at worship.
Now after acknowledging that our body is a sacrifice, the verse talks about what state our body, the living sacrifice should always be in. A holy, acceptable offering; AKA a pure offering.
The truth is that Christ Himself has sanctified us (1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 10:10) and so we ought to live a life that exudes our inward sanctification, a life of purity at all times.
Paul’s epistle to Timothy challenged him to be an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in PURITY -1Timothy 4:12. I’m echoing that challenge to you right now.
Practitioners of Yoga are quick to chant “my body is a temple” and this chant holds them captive for the things they subject their body too.
Because your body is the living, breathing temple of the Lord, you must ensure that it’s in top condition at all times. Treasured already covered sexual purity in one of the previous posts; beloved do not take it for granted. Check out Pastor Levi Lusko’s new book “Swipe Right” to learn more about God, romance and sex.
It’s also important to eat healthy, rest well and exercise regularly. Proverbs 4:23 says guard your heart with all diligence for from it flows the springs of life. I think of this verse literally sometimes, how it is that the heart as a biological organ does give life. As such our diet should not be high in calories, fatty acids and all.
Remember that it’s a life of purity. A life. Your very living, moving and been being. And as such purity is not a concept we tie to sexual or “spiritual” issues alone, it’s an encompassing life.
That’s it for the month of May.
Have a lovely remainder of the year,
Xx,
Deb.
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