As we get older in this post-modern / end times world of ours, one of the things that increasingly appears to be shifting, is our levels of personal autonomy. That is - whether it's through a lack of online privacy, mandatory vaccines or how I educate / discipline my children - more than ever, someone else is wanting / going to try enforce how we live.
This however should be nothing new to us as believers and disciples of Jesus. What I mean, is that our fleshy man (as a result of our fallen nature) is always trying to get us to do something we shouldn't, or not do something we should. I don't think anyone reading this blog would have much trouble acknowledging this.
What we might have more trouble acknowledging however, is how well this battle is going. That is, are we winning the battle between our fleshy (fallen) man vs holy (spirit) man? If you're unaware of such a battle, you've already lost. If however you are aware, here's a golden nugget I have discovered in winning the battle...
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
- 1 Peter 4:1-2
Notice how this scripture (above) links suffering, your body, your thinking (attitude), sin and God's will.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
- 1 Cor 9:25-27
Again, see how this scripture links exercise (games), training, discipline, mastery and reward.
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
- 1 John 4:20
Finally, notice how this scripture links love, people, sin, sight, and truth.
So what am I trying to say? In God's Kingdom, your body is a critical part of your faith journey. Yes, it may only be the temple of the Holy Spirit, but does that somehow render it obsolete? Hardly! For without a body there would be no place for the Spirit in the 1st place! Instead what I see Peter, Paul and John teaching us in these scriptures, is the critical importance attached to our relationship with our bodies, in particular our ability and willingness to;
- Endure suffering
- Reject sin
- Do God's will
- Train it
- Discipline it
- Master it
- Receive reward
- Be practical
- Be in truth
I am about to complete my 2021 'body' challenge, which was to try meet the minimum standards qualifying criteria for a Navy Seals selection camp. Forcing my body to take up this challenge, required a great act of my will, resolve in my mind, and conquering of my emotions. That is, by my spirit, through my soul, and in my body, I will achieve my body goal next month!
In this regard, a couple years ago I suspected that body exercise / challenges might be a spiritual discipline. A couple of years later, I am theologically and experientially totally convinced, that body exercise / challenges are a spiritual discipline! And I believe that is exactly how God has designed it - body serves soul, soul serves spirit, spirit serves God through our souls in our bodies! (click here to understand this is more detail)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 12:1-2
In this scripture we clearly see the connection between our bodies (surrendered to God), then our minds (renewed by God), and lastly our living (according to the will of God).
In conclusion, it would be remiss of me not to add that exercising (training our bodies), is only one of many other spiritual disciplines (which you can learn more about here). But as John reminds us above, you say you love God (who you cannot see), but don't love people (who you can see), so it is with our spirits... That is, You say you exercise - walk, feed and strengthen - your spirit (which you cannot see), but don't do so with your body (that you so clearly see)?
If however you do exercise / train / challenge your body regularly, well done! Then please be sure to do the same with your spirit, for as Paul reminds us above, we are competing for a (spiritual) crown that will last forever!
ps. Here are the Optimal standards if I've really inspired you!
