TUESDAY, JUNE 13
1 Corinthians 6:12-14
Romans 12:1-2

"…the body… for the Lord…"

LIVE PROPERLY!

Some of us are extremely careful in looking after our bodies. We make sure we eat the right foods, and engage in vigorous exercise to keep our bodies trim and fit. We tell ourselves, "This is what it means to live properly!"

There is nothing wrong in looking after the body so long as it is with the right motive of keeping it healthy for service unto the Lord. However, we must not be overly fixated on the body until it draws us away from the Lord.

The Bible demands that we understand the fleeting and transient nature of our earthly body. The people in Roman times exclaimed, "Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats…" (1 Cor 6:13). A modern equivalent would be, "I eat to live, and I live to eat." However, Paul reminded us that one day the body will die. God will destroy both the belly and the food in the belly! On the other hand, God has promised that He will one day raise all believers with glorified bodies, just like how Christ was raised from the dead. This glorified body will be permanent, free from all corruption and decay. Therefore, we ought not to be fixated on our present bodies, but live in the light of the future resurrection. We should use our bodies not to satisfy our gluttony or vanity, but to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in righteousness. Just as how the Lord came to save our body ("the Lord for the body" 1 Cor 6:13), so we too must use our body to glorify the Lord ("the body … for the Lord" 1 Cor 6:13). To live properly means to dedicate our lives to glorify our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

On the other hand, we must be careful not to abuse our bodies. One way we can abuse our bodies is to subject it to all kinds of sexual sins (porneia). The implication and seriousness of the sin of fornication will be explained in the verses to come.

THOUGHT: What does it mean to live properly for the Lord?
PRAYER: Lord, help me not to abuse my body.