CHRIST’S BODY—ARE WE AWARE?
What plans do we have today?
What activities do we hope to participate in as the day unfolds?
What actions do we have planned?
What if we were required to “do,” to “participate in,” and “to plan” without the use of our bodies?
What if we had to go throughout this day without the benefit of our body going with us?
I know! It’s a crazy thought! There is JUST NO WAY we can ever walk, think, touch, see, taste, smell, or even experience without the engagement of our body. Yes, our body is required to go with us, to be with us—every part & everywhere we go—today. THERE IS JUST NO WAY WE CAN EVER LEAVE OUR BODY AT HOME WHEN WE GO OUT TODAY! NO WAY—AT ALL!
So, if we know how improbable this thought truly is to ponder, then why bring it up? It is because we “THINK” we can do just that—GO OUT, GO ABOUT, & GO WITHOUT OUR WHOLE SELVES—WITH US!
The only way I know how to share this thinking is to share God’s Word, so let’s read the Scripture together. Please See With Me.
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.
Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be!
Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, ‘THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.’
But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”
(1 Corinthians 6: 12-20)
Did we notice the BOLD words?
Did we see WHOSE we are co-joined with, WHOSE we belong to when we said, “Yes, LORD, please save me. Please save my soul and come into my heart”
The world tells us that when we reach the magical age of eighteen, no one can be our boss.
The world also tells us that when we reach the magical age of twenty-one, then we are our own boss to go as we please, to do as we please, to decide as we please.
The world tells us so much, and we listen so well—to what the world speaks.
How are we doing with what the LORD speaks?
Living is what we do.
Making lists, Making plans, Making things happen.
It’s what we do, but by whose authority should we create our lists, make our plans, or allow things to occur?
That’s an easy question if we are a believer, a follower, a Christian.
GOD’S AUTHORITY.
HE IS THE BOSS OF US—YOU & ME!
HE IS OUR MASTER!
WE ARE THE FOLLOWERS!
WE ARE HIS BOND-SERVANTS!
HE IS THE LORD & WE ARE NOT THE LORD OF ANYTHING!
David knew this truth. Let’s look for a moment at David’s declaration to his Lord.
“O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house
And the place where Your glory dwells.
Do not take my soul away along with sinners,
Nor my life with men of bloodshed,
In whose hands is a wicked scheme,
And whose right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
Redeem me, and be gracious to me.
My foot stands on a level place;
In the congregations I shall bless the LORD.”
(Psalm 26: 8-12)
Did we notice the BOLD words?
Did we see WHO dwells, WHO resides within us?
Did we see WHO redeems our soul?
Did we see how we are standing at the foot of the cross of Jesus?
Our prayer should be:
Father God,
Until Jesus returns for me, help me use my talents, my abilities to build up God’s kingdom.
Help me, LORD, walk with integrity.
Help me, LORD, to live in light of Your authority.
Help me, remember WHOSE I am.
Help me live in such a way that the lost desire what has been given to me.
Help me live in such a way that the unbelievers are drawn to Almighty God.
Help me LIVE for YOU, LORD JESUS.
Help me LISTEN for YOUR HOLY SPIRIT to lead me this day.
Help me OBEY my FATHER GOD.
Help me REMEMBER that I am being sanctified in Christ Jesus each day as I walk through this life toward the day Jesus comes for me, until I reach the day of glorification.
Help me REALIZE throughout this day that YOU live within me.
Help me RECALL the price YOU paid upon the cross of Calvary for me—for my body & my soul.
Help me DEDICATE my body, my life to YOU, GOD, to YOUR purpose, to YOUR will, & to YOUR glory.
Forgive me, Father God, for living as I please.
Forgive me, Father God, for thinking that I am the boss of me.
Forgive me, Father God.
Cleanse me, today.
Wash me clean.
Heal my heart. Sanctify me. Prepare me for the day when I will see You face-to-face.
Help me LIVE in light of that day, with my eyes only upon You.
Help me SEE only YOU, LORD JESUS.
Help me BE ALERT, READY, & EXPECTANT, knowing that this day may be THAT DAY.
Help me LIVE a life most UNORDINARY, Living Every Moment for YOU, LORD JESUS.
Help me BE LED BY MY FATHER’S HOLY SPIRIT, turning this way or that way, as YOU lead me.
In Jesus’ name I ask these things,
Amen
Mac Powell sings a melody most applicable. Listen to “Everlasting Arms” if you have opportunity.
The apostle Luke was a physician who was called by Jesus to come follow Him. On this day, let us focus upon Jesus’ words which Doctor Luke recorded for us inside God’s Word.
Jesus said:
“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;
for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.
But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
(Luke 21: 34-36)
- Did we notice the BOLD words?
- Did we see WHO is coming back for us?
- Did we see how we must be on guard for the day JESUS comes for us?
- Did we see how we must keep alert & pray—always?
- Did we see WHO we will stand before?
JESUS.
The SON of GOD.
The SON of MAN.
GOD in the Flesh.
GOD—THE FATHER, THE SON, THE HOLY SPIRIT.
OUR REDEEMER, OUR SAVIOR, OUR LORD.
CHRIST’S BODY—LET US REMAIN AWARE!