I Corinthians V
You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (I Corinthians 6:19,20 ESV)
More Than Souls
Why do Christians focus on our souls to the exclusion of our bodies? Yes, our souls are important, but so are our bodies. Yes, our souls are a worthy focus, but so are our bodies. Yes, our souls will not die, but our bodies remain paramount… so much so that God promises us New Bodies.
Often we make moral and ethical decisions based on whether a particular activity is good for our soul… but rarely do we ask whether something is really good for our bodies. The bodies that God created. The bodies that were also bought on the cross. The bodies that can ALSO glorify God.
We understand that our hearts, minds, and word are great avenues to giving God glory. But so are our bodies.
We decide what to eat based on our OWN likes and dislikes, not what might glorify God. We decide how to care for our bodies based on purely practical aspects, rather than who such things might glorify God. We dress our bodies based on cultural norms, our own eyes, and the temperature, rather than who our appearance might glorify God.
We consider our bodies, it seems, on the basis of us. We glorify ourselves with our bodies. But our bodies, too, are God’s. His temple, in fact. His possession, in fact. His very bodies.
It might indeed be true that practical aspects, cultural norms, our own eyes, the temperature, and other such considerations are worthy and appropriate. But as in all things… those are secondary facets.
Even our bodies are a way for us to glorify God!