It’s been a long time since I’ve written a blog post that excited ME like this one does! So, after you’ve read this through and thought about it, be sure to leave a comment and let me know your valuable feedback!
In the first Fit For Jesus blog post, I mentioned the following scripture:
| “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 |
This is only the beginning, but what a clear beginning it is! Our body is the literal, physical temple of the Holy Spirit. By taking care of our bodies, we are taking care of our wonderful Holy Spirit’s temple. Our body is a gift from the Lord, and we should all, in a simple act of thankfulness and love, take care of our body and the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Are we required to? Technically, no. Salvation through Jesus Christ is a gift of God’s grace. Our salvation does not depend on our actions, but don’t you want to give something back to our gracious Heavenly Father, who gave His Son for us?
(In the coming weeks, we will get into a lot of detail about how, while our actions here on earth have NOTHING to do with “deserving” salvation, our actions here on earth – including your levels of health and fitness – potentially have MUCH to do with our reward in heaven!)
Here is more scripture:
| Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”The Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body.
John 2: 19-21 |
Jesus states that His body is a temple. I know when I first came across this scripture, my gut response was, “Yeah, but that is Jesus. I can’t compare myself to Him and call my body a temple!”
It almost seems uncomfortable to compare ourselves to Jesus, doesn’t it? Yet, in the Bible, it clearly states that we are “made new in Christ”, and through the Holy Spirit “conformed to the likeness of His Son.” Yes, we are conformed into the likeness of His character and His righteousness and holiness, but Jesus was also very human.
Jesus was exceptionally clear: His human body was a temple!
| In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:21-22 |
This really seals the point, doesn’t it? We are, both individually and collectively, becoming a “dwelling in which GOD lives by His Spirit!”.
I think we can all agree that the Bible is conclusive: our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, a tremendous amount of resources, including time, talent, attention, and money were devoted to the building of God’s temple. The temple of the Holy Spirit – our body – should be no different!
Pray today for the Lord’s strength to help you build a temple worthy of the Holy Spirit. Ask for strength to choose the right foods, the desire to plan your meals, the shift in priorities to create time to exercise. Start with the clear scripture, and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you in more detail about His desire for you!
Take care, and God bless you richly,
Jeremy Nelms
P.S. Stay tuned and watch out for a post later this week about the social networking side of Fit For Jesus! I will need 10-20 testers, so be ready!
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June 3rd, 2009 on 11:04 PM
I believe making Jesus the focus will make this fitness approach work when others haven’t. In Christ, Judee
May 27th, 2009 on 7:30 PM
May God Bless you both and this site. It takes courage and strength to follow the will of God and how he may want to use you. Keep you eyes on Him and all will be well! I read your story on your “About the Fit for Jesus Founders” and I am so inspired by your testimony.
There are many other fitness pro’s out there who are believers and followers of Christ…many I have met on FB and Twitter. We can all lift each other up in Him to continue our collective and personal God given purpose(s).
If you ever need anything PLEASE don’t hesitate to contact me – guest blog posts, prayer, etc.
Best Regards,
Dave
May 21st, 2009 on 6:22 PM
Not only does the Bible speak of the benefits & expectations of maintaining a healthy body, it also spells out very clearly what you can expect when you are lazy and overeat.
Proverbs 23:21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
You guys are doing a great thing, keep up the awesome work!
Dan
May 21st, 2009 on 5:34 PM
Excellent Jeremy! We have to take better of the temple that houses the holy spirit so that we can be more affective for the kingdom!
May 21st, 2009 on 12:19 PM
Thanks for this message. Treating our bodies as temples is such a powerful reason for improving our lifestyles and making healthy choices. I look forward to more posts like this.
May 21st, 2009 on 11:00 AM
This is so right on! Very well articulated, thank you!