Your Body, God's Temple: Living a Life That Glorifies Him
Introduction:
Today, we are considering a powerful passage from the Apostle Paul, found in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. These verses remind us of a profound truth—our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT): “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body.”
This Scripture calls us to consider how we view and use our bodies. It’s a call to holiness, stewardship, and a life that glorifies God in every aspect.
Point 1: Understanding Our Identity in Christ
Paul begins by asking, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?” This question challenges us to reflect on our identity in Christ. When we accepted Jesus as our Saviour, something miraculous happened—we were indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
In ancient times, the temple was a sacred place where God’s presence dwelt. For the Jews, the temple in Jerusalem was the physical location of God’s presence on earth. But in the New Covenant, through the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s Spirit now resides within each believer. The Greek word used here for “temple” is naos, which refers specifically to the inner sanctuary, the holiest part of the temple. This signifies that our bodies are not just any temple, but the most sacred dwelling place of God’s presence.
If we truly grasp that our bodies are naos, the holy sanctuary of God’s Spirit, it should radically change how we live. We are not our own. We belong to God, and every action, every decision, should reflect His holiness. Whether it’s in how we care for our physical health, what we allow into our minds, or how we use our talents and time, everything should be done to honour the One who dwells within us.
Consider Romans 12:1 (NLT): “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” We worship God not just through songs and prayers, but through the way we live in our bodies daily.
Imagine you were entrusted with caring for a priceless artefact, like the Crown Jewels. How careful would you be? How much more then, should we be mindful of our bodies, which house the very Spirit of God?
John Piper once said, “God created us to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion—namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.” Our identity in Christ compels us to live out this passion.
Point 2: The High Cost of Redemption
Paul reminds us, “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.” This statement takes us to the very heart of the Gospel—the cost of our redemption.
The “high price” Paul speaks of is nothing less than the precious blood of Jesus. In the ancient world, the concept of being “bought” or “redeemed” was often associated with slavery. A slave could be redeemed, or bought, by someone paying the price for their freedom. Similarly, we were slaves to sin, but Jesus paid the ultimate price to set us free. The Greek word for “bought” is agorazo, which means to purchase in the marketplace. This word reminds us that Jesus paid for our freedom with His very life.
Knowing the cost of our redemption should fill us with a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. We are no longer our own—we belong to Jesus. This should influence every area of our lives, from our relationships to our choices, to how we serve others.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NLT) reminds us, “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” The immense value of the price paid for us should inspire us to live in a way that honours God.
Imagine someone paid off all your debts, not with money, but by sacrificing their life. How would you feel? What would your response be? Our lives should be a reflection of gratitude for the One who paid our spiritual debt.
Charles Spurgeon said, “I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.” The price paid for us reveals the greatness of our need and the greatness of our Saviour.
Point 3: Honouring God with Our Bodies
The final exhortation Paul gives is a call to action: “So you must honour God with your body.”
Honouring God with our bodies means living in a way that reflects His holiness. This isn’t limited to avoiding sinful actions but encompasses a positive pursuit of righteousness. The word “honour” here comes from the Greek doxazo, which means to glorify or to give glory. Our lives should be a continuous act of worship, glorifying God in all we do.
To honour God with our bodies, we must be intentional about how we live. This includes what we eat, how we exercise, what we allow our eyes to see, and what we speak. It also means using our bodies to serve others and to carry out God’s will on earth.
Romans 6:13 (NLT) says, “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” Every part of our being should be dedicated to doing what is right, reflecting God’s character.
Think of a musical instrument. When in the hands of a skilled musician, it can produce beautiful music. Our bodies, when yielded to God, can produce a life that is a beautiful testimony of His grace.
Rick Warren said, “You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” Understanding our purpose is key to living a life that honours God.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, we are reminded of our identity as temples of the Holy Spirit, the high cost of our redemption, and the call to honour God with our bodies. This is not a passive suggestion but a passionate plea from the heart of the Apostle Paul, urging us to live lives that glorify our Creator.
Application and Call to Action:
Encouragement:
Let this message inspire you to take a deeper look at how you are living. Are there areas in your life where you need to surrender to God’s control? Are you honouring Him with your thoughts, actions, and decisions?
Challenge:
This week, I challenge you to consciously make choices that reflect your identity in Christ. Whether it’s in how you treat your body, how you speak to others, or how you spend your time, let everything be done to the glory of God.
