Did you know that we as humans are 3-part beings? As people created in the image of God, we are made up of body, soul, and spirit. Each of these parts influences and impacts one another and works together with the others to create who we are as people. However, many times people separate these 3 parts or only pay attention to 1 or 2 out of the 3. Instead, let’s take a look at how we can understand and take care of each part of ourselves according to Scripture. In this piece, we’re going to focus on the body and look at why should be taking care of your body.
New Heavenly Bodies
The body is, of course, the physical aspect of our 3 parts. While we are on earth, we have been given a physical body to function and operate in. Even though we were given these bodies, they are merely temporary. One day, we will be given heavenly bodies that are made completely new.
Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
Taking Care of Your Body
However, even though we will be given new bodies one day, we are called to take care of these bodies now that we have been given. As much as we would like to be able to ignore our bodies, we have to take care of them in order to function properly and live out the callings that God has placed on our lives.
Paul in 2 Corinthians 5-10 compares our earthly bodies to tents. Think about a tent. Tents are not very strong or sturdy and they provide very limited shelter and security. Unless you’re forced to live in a tent, you are probably not going to prefer to live in a tent permanently. Our bodies are indeed like this tent. They grow frail, and they become afflicted with diseases at times, but they are merely temporary. Paul goes on in 2 Corinthians to say that one day, we will have a house in heaven: not a tent, but a house. Yet while we are here on this earth, we should take care of our tent and be thankful to the God who gave it to us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 puts it well when Paul writes, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
As a token of thankfulness and gratitude to God for what He has given us, we need to take care of the bodies that we have. We can do this by getting proper sleep, exercise, and general rest. Even when the culture is telling you that sleeping less produces more, listen to your body. Take time to rest at least once a week. Take care of your house here on earth and God will honor your obedience.
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