The Worth Of Knowing

I think it’s significant that before the first humans did anything noteworthy God declared them “very good.”

If mountains declare the glory of God I wonder how much more our bodies shout God’s glory – without us ever opening our mouths.

They are the vessels that God fearfully and wonderfully made for us to interact with Him through His creation and His Word and His Church.

While we may not be fighting a war against flesh and blood, even the “evil forces” know the easiest route to our souls – distorting our desires and interactions with the good things God has given to us.

“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:18. 19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God himself saved our souls not only through a spiritual sacrifice, but a physical one – the body that was prepared for the Son of God.

I don’t know why we (or just me?!) have been so slow to catch on to the significance of our bodies and physical needs and desires.

I am beginning to see evidence of this in several ways, but probably most important is that God’s longterm plan is not to do away with our bodies so we can be “more” spiritual or holy.

God’s plan is to glorify our bodies like He glorified Christ’s.

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In this already, but not yet world it can be confusing to know how much value to give our bodies, their needs, and their desires. But I think it’s safe to say that we, as Christians in general, are not called to ignore, shame, or belittle our bodies in the name purity and holiness. We are called to give glory to God with our bodies by using them to pursue God’s glory through His good design.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The distinction is subtle, but significant: our bodies are not bad. Our bodies’ needs and desires are, at their core, not bad either. They were designed and planted there by God. They can be grown and developed in selfish, destructive ways or in God glorifying, beautiful ways.

Our bodies are in between the time of “very good” and “glorious.”

Let’s not work against God’s plan for the redemption of all things, but with it.