In Romans 12:1-2 we are reminded that we are to “present our bodies a living sacrifice unto God.” Yet the body is still the center of sinful desires, emotional depression, and spiritual doubts. Paul gives insight into that sobering reality when he says, “I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). IN order to maintain a holy life and testimony and to minister effectively, even the great apostle had to exert himself strongly and continually in order to control the human and sinful part of himself that persistently wanted to rule and corrupt his life and his work for the Lord. Scripture makes clear that God created the body as good (Genesis), and that, despite the body’s continuing corruption by sin, the bodies of redeemed souls will also one day be redeemed and sanctified. The Lord created our bodies for Himself, and in this life, He cannot work through us without in some way working through our bodies. If we speak for Him, it must be through our mouths. If we read His Word, it must be with our eyes, if we hear His Word, it must be through our ears, and if we think for Him, it must be with our minds, which now reside in our bodies. There can be no sanctification, no holy living, apart from our bodies. That is why Paul prayed in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you ENTIRELY; and may your spirit AND BODY be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Emphasis mine). Learn to overcome the desires of the flesh, by relying on the power of the Spirit of God to apply the truth of God’s Word to our minds. Then choose to obey the instruction of the Lord because of your love and gratitude for Him.
