How does 1 Corinthians 6:20 emphasize the importance of honoring God with our bodies? The Priceless Purchase • “For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20) • The verb “bought” points to a completed, historical transaction: Christ’s sacrificial death (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19). • Because that purchase is literal, the believer’s body now belongs to the Lord; we are no longer self-owned. Body as God’s Property • 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” • Just as the temple in Jerusalem was consecrated for holy use, our physical bodies are set apart for God’s purposes (Romans 12:1). • Ownership by God brings both dignity and responsibility—every part of us has kingdom value. Glorify God in Everyday Choices • Glorifying God means displaying His worth through obedience and thankfulness (Psalm 50:23). • Practical arenas: – Sexual purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4) – Speech that builds up (Ephesians 4:29) – Self-control in food, drink, and habits (Proverbs 23:20-21; 1 Corinthians 9:27) – Diligent work that honors Christ (Colossians 3:23-24) – Compassionate service that reflects His love (Matthew 25:35-40) Supporting Scriptures • Romans 14:7-8 — “For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone…” • Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ… the life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” • Philippians 1:20 — Paul’s aim that “Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” • 1 John 3:3 — “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” Practical Applications • View health choices as stewardship, not vanity. • Reject cultural pressures that degrade the body; embrace purity and modesty. • Offer daily activities—exercise, rest, work—as acts of worship. • Treat others’ bodies with equal honor, opposing exploitation and abuse. • Remember the resurrection promise: our bodies will be raised incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:42-44), underscoring their eternal significance. Encouragement to Live Set Apart Christ paid the highest conceivable price for you. Every heartbeat, breath, and movement can echo gratitude when deliberately directed to glorify the One who owns you. Honor Him today through the tangible, visible choices made in your body—the living proof of His redeeming love. |
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