One last thing about our bodies and how they are supposed to bring God Glory. Can we spend a little time today talking specifically about sex? While our bodies should be maintained in healthy conditions, we also should not use them for our own fleshly pleasures outside of God’s design. Sex was created by God as a beautiful climax in the relationship between a husband and his wife. Sexual intimacy is for a man and a woman who have freely and willingly chosen to commit themselves, exclusively, to one another in holy matrimony. That is God’s design and there are no exceptions to this rule. This means, if you are not in God’s definition of a marriage, then no matter your age, your body should remain pure. Sex is never for your own selfish gratification. It is for the unity and mutual benefit of both the husband and wife. It is an act portraying godly love. So very far from the dirty, shameful thing this fallen, broken world has made it, Mr Lucado adds, “Sex was his idea. From his perspective, sex is nothing short of holy.” (p112)
The intertwining of two bodies, literally becoming one, is an act like no other on earth. The author quotes St Paul again from 1Co “No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.” (1Co 6:18 NLT) We do not have a right to do whatever we want anymore…we never really had that right, but how much more now that we belong to Christ! When we choose sexual immorality, we affect every part of who we are. This authors says, “It pretends we can give the body and not affect the soul. We can’t. We humans are so intricately psychosomatic that whatever touches the soma impacts the psyche as well.” (p113) The reality is, sexual immorality does not only effect us physically and emotionally, but it impacts God’s Church also. What we choose to do with our bodies, if sinful, can ruin our witness of who Jesus is, and how His Church should conduct herself.
I can go on and on about the glory we can bring God with our bodies, but let me end with Mr Lucado’s simple words: “Your body, God’s tool. Maintain it. Your body, God’s temple. Respect it…. Manage God’s house in such a way that passersby stop and notice. ‘Who lives in that house?” they will ask. And when they hear the answer, God will be honored.” (p115)
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
<>< Peace, Diane
