GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY
This is also lifted from my quiet time notes. I admit in many instances I failed to glorify God. I'm still trying and by God's grace I believe I can live a life that glorifies God.
Q. How should a person live after receiving Jesus as his God and Savior?
A. A Christian should live in such a manner as to glorify his Savior and Lord for he now belongs to Christ. “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's“ (I Cor 6:19,20). A Christian should glorify God even in the minutest detail of his life. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (I Cor 10:31-32). This implies that a Christian must glorify God even in the routine activities such as drinking or eating.
God also desires to mould our thinking patterns so that we will glorify Him even in our most private meditation. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1,2). What we think of is important to God. Even the things that preoccupy our minds must be pleasing to Him. “Finally, my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil 4:8). All thoughts must bring glory to Christ so that in everything, Jesus will have preeminence: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5).
Q. What are the things a Christian must shun away from in order to glorify Jesus Christ our Lord?
A. God commanded Christians to separate from all forms of religious apostasy and unbiblical compromise, and all sinful practices, worldly pleasures and ungodly association. The apostle Paul repeatedly admonished the believers not to have anything to do with false teachers. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18). “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and stirrings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject, knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself” (Titus 3:9-11). We avoid not only false teachers and their teachings but also unhealthy compromises. “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God“ (Romans 12:2). Second Corinthians 6:14-18 also conveys the same thought, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclear thing; and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”.
The Bible also commands us not to have anything to do with sinful and worldly practices. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (I John 2:15-17). The Apostle John also warned us: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (I John 2:15-17). It means that we cannot enjoy the sinful pleasures that the world offers and the joy that heaven gives at the same time. In this case, we cannot have the best of both worlds - the world of lust and the world of holiness.
Q. How can we apply these truths in our lives?
A. One way is to avoid false teachers. We must not listen to those who teach contrary to what the Bible says - even to fellowship with them. Some say that this is narrow-mindedness or bigotry. Other people insist that we ought to be liberal-minded even in matters of faith. But the Word of God says otherwise. “But though me, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
Another way to apply this doctrine of Biblical separation is in our manner of thinking. We must not allow ourselves to be molded into the world’s thinking. In many cases, the world is in conflict with the Bible (see I John 2:15-16). A Christian must choose only one guide to follow - The Bible. This doctrine does not only urge us to be separate from the worldly system but it also brings us closer to God, and encourages us to serve Him. "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are this. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from impurity. But in a great house these are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim 2:19-21). We are also commanded to have no company with a Christian who is deliberately disobeying God's Word (see 2 Thes 3:6,14-15).
Q. How should a person live after receiving Jesus as his God and Savior?
A. A Christian should live in such a manner as to glorify his Savior and Lord for he now belongs to Christ. “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's“ (I Cor 6:19,20). A Christian should glorify God even in the minutest detail of his life. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (I Cor 10:31-32). This implies that a Christian must glorify God even in the routine activities such as drinking or eating.
God also desires to mould our thinking patterns so that we will glorify Him even in our most private meditation. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1,2). What we think of is important to God. Even the things that preoccupy our minds must be pleasing to Him. “Finally, my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil 4:8). All thoughts must bring glory to Christ so that in everything, Jesus will have preeminence: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5).
Q. What are the things a Christian must shun away from in order to glorify Jesus Christ our Lord?
A. God commanded Christians to separate from all forms of religious apostasy and unbiblical compromise, and all sinful practices, worldly pleasures and ungodly association. The apostle Paul repeatedly admonished the believers not to have anything to do with false teachers. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18). “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and stirrings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject, knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself” (Titus 3:9-11). We avoid not only false teachers and their teachings but also unhealthy compromises. “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God“ (Romans 12:2). Second Corinthians 6:14-18 also conveys the same thought, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclear thing; and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”.
The Bible also commands us not to have anything to do with sinful and worldly practices. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (I John 2:15-17). The Apostle John also warned us: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (I John 2:15-17). It means that we cannot enjoy the sinful pleasures that the world offers and the joy that heaven gives at the same time. In this case, we cannot have the best of both worlds - the world of lust and the world of holiness.
Q. How can we apply these truths in our lives?
A. One way is to avoid false teachers. We must not listen to those who teach contrary to what the Bible says - even to fellowship with them. Some say that this is narrow-mindedness or bigotry. Other people insist that we ought to be liberal-minded even in matters of faith. But the Word of God says otherwise. “But though me, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
Another way to apply this doctrine of Biblical separation is in our manner of thinking. We must not allow ourselves to be molded into the world’s thinking. In many cases, the world is in conflict with the Bible (see I John 2:15-16). A Christian must choose only one guide to follow - The Bible. This doctrine does not only urge us to be separate from the worldly system but it also brings us closer to God, and encourages us to serve Him. "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are this. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from impurity. But in a great house these are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim 2:19-21). We are also commanded to have no company with a Christian who is deliberately disobeying God's Word (see 2 Thes 3:6,14-15).
posted by Pids Nogales | 8:52 AM
1 Comments:
Dear Pidio, praise God for your gift of teaching and preaching. The writings in your blog are highly encouraging. This topic particularly teach the readers how much God values our body and so must we. Can I cite your write up when I teach about the same topic?
Thanks.
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