For His Glory

Eph. 1:4-6, 11-14

Theme: God’s motivation for saving us is His glory; therefore, as genuine servants we proclaim Him, praise Him, and glorify Him! 

Introduction:

What is God’s glory? When used of God in Scripture, glory refers to His opinion (what He thinks of himself) and reputation (what others think about him), all pointing to His fame or honor or praise. At times glory has a deeper meaning indicating God’s very Person—His essential Being.

  

When Moses made the request of God, “Show me thy glory” (Ex 33:18), he was not speaking of the light-cloud, which he had already seen, but he was seeking a special manifestation of God which would leave nothing to be desired (John 14:8). Moses had a craving to come to grips with God as he is in himself. In reply, God emphasized his goodness (Ex 33:19). We too must understand that God’s glory is not limited to some outward sign that only appeals to our senses, but instead glory expresses His inherent majesty—characteristic awesomeness and innate splendor, whether invisible or through visible symbols.

   

Glory then refers to the deep-down essential worth of God, His overwhelming majesty, His moral beauty, His marvelous excellences, His perfect nature—righteousness, holiness, mercy, truth, goodness, love, and grace!

So, Why did God Save Us?

Beloved, ultimately our salvation is “to the praise of His glory.” God’s marvelous plan for His people involves a magnificent finale—He will be the focal point of our continual praise. The intended goal and inevitable result of all God’s gracious actions toward us is that He should be magnified and glorified forever. In appreciation for your salvation, do you glorify God? Do you live to praise Him?

Lesson:

God Saves Us to Bring Himself Glory

Ephes. 1:12-14, That we [Christians] should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. [13] In whom ye [Believers] also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

A.     LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY IS THE SUPREME PURPOSE OF OUR REDEMPTION (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).

               1. All of these riches, spiritual blessings, come to us by God’s grace and for His glory. Did you notice that after each of the main sections in Ephesians 1:4–14, Paul stated the purpose behind these gracious gifts? (Wiersbe)

                    a. God the Father has chosen us, adopted us, and accepted us! But why? “To the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:6). Paul’s thoughts on the grace of God for electing us and then in predestining us to be His sons, explodes into this refrain that is at once an exclamation, an explanation, and an exhortation. (McDonald)

                          i. It is an exclamation—a holy gasp at the transcendent glories of such grace. Such treatment is superior, matchless, unequalled, and excellent! Nobody treats me like God does!

                          ii. It is an explanation that the object and the result of all God’s gracious dealings with us is His own glory. Eternal adoration is due to Him for such matchless favor.  

                      iii. Finally, it is an exhortation. Paul is saying, “Let us praise Him for His glorious grace”. (McDonald)

                    b. God the Son has redeemed us, forgiven us, revealed God’s will to us, and made us part of God’s inheritance! But why?  “That we should be to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12). The Lord Jesus purchased and set us free by paying the redemption price of His own blood. We are forgiven and God has released us from the condemnation of the Law strictly on account of faith in the Cross of Christ. He has included us in the sacred secret of Christ and His churches. Our inheritance includes God himself, our redemption hope—a new glorious body, eternal rewards, our heavenly home, and all genuine believers will enjoy being heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17; 1Cor. 3:21-23).

                    c. God the Spirit has sealed us and become the guarantee of our future in Heaven! But why? “Unto the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:14).  The Spirit marks us as God's own possession and guarantees our salvation.

               2. We often have the idea that God saves sinners mainly because He pities them, or wants to rescue them from eternal judgment, but God’s main purpose is that He might be glorified. His creation reveals His wisdom and power, but His church reveals His love and grace. You cannot deserve or earn these spiritual riches; you can only receive them by grace, through faith. –Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary

               3. God saved you and me for “the praise of his glory!” That is, we are trophies of the grace of God, exhibiting what He can do with such unlikely raw materials, and thus bringing glory to Him. We are to be glowing examples to others of God’s love and mercy at work in and through a human life. We are verbal and living expressions of praise to God for His gracious work in our lives! Do you praise Him often for what He is doing in you, or are you too busy stealing His praise, credit, and honor for yourself?

Beloved, the ultimate result of redemption is the same—“to the praise of His glory.” God’s marvelous plan for His people will reach a glorious consummation, and He will be the object of continual praise. Three times in this chapter Paul has reminded us that the intended goal and inevitable result of all God’s actions is that He should be magnified and glorified. Before we go any farther, let us do it! (MacDonald, W. (1995))

    Great God of wonders! All Thy ways

    Display Thine attributes divine;

    But the bright glories of Thy grace

    Above Thine other wonders shine:

    Who is a pard’ning God like Thee?

    Or who has grace so rich and free?

B.     LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY MEANS MORE THEN MERELY GOING TO HEAVEN.

People seem to think that the only reason for salvation is so that a person might go to Heaven when she or he dies. This is likely because salvation was presented to them in these familiar terms.

         1.  Heaven and Eternal Life are Parts of God’s Redemption Plan for us, but That Is Not the Sole Reason for Our Salvation. (Jn. 3:14-17, 35; 1Jn. 5:11-13)

         2.  We Are Saved So That We Might live as “Redeemed” Servants who Bring God Glory (Eph. 1:14). 1 Peter 1:18-19,  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

              a. “Redeemed” Implies That We Once Were in Bondage or Slavery to Evil and Sin. We were slaves to sinful attitudes and actions! We had no choice or power to become free or do any different!

              b. But, We Have Been Purchased— Set Free and Rescued from Sin So That We Might Live a Life of Righteous Service to the Glory of God. 1Cor. 6:19-20, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

  

If God’s only purpose for our salvation was so that we might go to Heaven, He would be doing each of us a great favor by saving us and then immediately slaying us. No, His plan involves Believers living free of sins enslavement and power and free to serve God unimpeded by any obligations to sin. We now live to glorify Him in how we use our bodies and the attitudes we display or project. Sinful attitudes or anger, bitterness, negativity, and worry must give way to love, joy, righteousness, and peace!

C.     LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY MEANS WE ARE TO REFLECT THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST.  

2 Peter 1:3-4, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The divine call is our basis for developing holy character and Christ-centered living. It is Christ, the glorious and virtuous Savior, who summons us to lives of “glory and virtue”—moral excellence and deep spiritual strength! Like Paul at His conversion, we have seen the light of Jesus and are forever drawn to His likeness.

       1.  God’s Purpose for Saving Us Is for Each of Us to Reflect His Glorious Character.  Ephes. 5:8-10, For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: [9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) [10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

That we might be His people on this earth filled with His glorious character because of the divine nature! People doing the kinds of works that Jesus Himself would do if He were walking in our shoes, through our world, during our lifetime. Our lives should move people and provoke them to honestly exclaim, “Praise the Lord!”(Matt. 5:16)

      2.  God Desires to Manifest His Character Through Our Personalities and Giftedness. 1 Cor. 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

When we allow His Holy Spirit to work in us and through us to the benefit of others, we become vessels of His love in action. We reflect His compassion, love, and mercy to others (2Pet. 1:5-12). And in so doing, we are His witnesses. We bring credit, honor, praise, and glory to Him. People will see and experience our “good works and glorify” our “Father in Heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

D.    LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY MEANS WE ARE TO SERVE THROUGH CHRIST’S CHURCHES.

Ephes. 3:21, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

      1.  God Does Not Save Us in Order That We Might Be Part of an Elite Group of “Good People.” He saves us in order that we might reach out to all people with God’s goodness through the ministry of His churches. This glorifies God!

      2.  God Does Not Place Us in Good Churches to Soak up Decades of Good Sermons, Bible Conferences, Prayer Meetings, and Seminars. 

           a. He Puts Us in His Churches So That We Might Be of Good Use to Those Who Are in Need. 

           b. He Places Us in His Churches So That We Might Function as His Body Each of Us Using Our Gifts, Talents, and Skills as the Holy Spirit Directs. There should be an on–going helping of one another, and in the process, experience a refinement of our own spirits, souls, and minds.

           c. This Is an Important Point for Us to Consider Regarding Servanthood. God did not save us simply so that we can say to others, “I'm saved,” that you might fill out a church membership card, or that you might have the assurance that you are going to Heaven one day. These things are good, but He has a purpose for us involving ministry and serving.

     3.  He Saved You in Order That You Might Live Every Hour of Every Day of the Remainder of Your Life in Faithful Service and Obedience to Jesus Christ. Going wherever He leads, saying and doing whatever He prompts you to say and do by His Holy Spirit, and engaging in whatever forms of ministry and service that He calls you to pursue.

     4.  Don’t Just Come to Church, But Join It, and Serve God Through this Church.

This is exactly what Apollos did when he left Ephesus and relocated in Corinth.  He united with that local assembly and he began serving God in that city through that church. Apollos almost immediately took a leadership role in the Church at Corinth as he followed the plan of God (Acts 18:24-28; Acts 19:1).

ILLUSTRATION: A pastor told about a Christian lady who often visited a retirement home near her house. One day she noticed a lonely man sitting, staring at his dinner tray. In a kindly manner she asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Is something wrong!” replied the man in a heavy accent. “Yes, something is wrong! I am a Jew, and I cannot eat this food!”

“What would you like to have?” she asked.

“I would like a bowl of hot soup!”

She went home and prepared the soup and, after getting permission from the office, took it to the man. In succeeding weeks, she often visited him and brought him the kind of food he enjoyed and eventually she led him to faith in Christ. Yes, preparing soup can be a spiritual sacrifice, a good work to the glory of God.—Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary

God’s motivation for saving us is His glory; therefore, as a genuine servant praise Him in light of His excellence, proclaim His glory to others, and live daily to glorify Him!

The Creation of the Universe

  

Text: Gen. 1:1-2; Ps. 33:6, 9; John 1:1-3; Hebrews 11:3

Memory Verses: Rev. 4:11   

Theme: We believe God created the universe out of nothing; it was originally very good and He created it for His glory.

Aims: I hope to deepen your convictions, fuel your worship, and enlarge your appreciation for God as Creator. I pray each of us will respond appropriately to Him as grateful and responsible creatures.

Relevance: It is in the context of creation that the Christian concept of service to God and worship of Him are best understood. By our very nature as creatures we owe all that we are and have to the good hands of the Creator. Failure to acknowledge this is ultimate ungratefulness (Rom. 1:21; Rev. 4:11; 1Chron. 29:14).—Norman Geisler

Introduction:

How did God create the world?  Did He create every different kind of plant and animal directly, or did he use some kind of evolutionary process, guiding the development of living things from the simplest to the most complex? And how quickly did God bring about creation? Was it all completed in six twenty-four-hour days, or did he use thousands or perhaps millions of years? How old is the earth and how old is the human race? These questions face us when we deal with the doctrine of creation.—Wayne Grudem

We define the doctrine of creation as follows: God created the entire universe out of nothing; it was originally very good; and he created it to glorify Himself.

Lesson:

I.                   God Created the Universe Out of Nothing—What and How did God Create?

A.     Consider the Biblical Evidence for Creation (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 33:6, 9; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; Heb. 11:3).

B.     Consider the Creation of the Spiritual Universe—this includes angelic creatures and the heavens themselves (Job. 38:4, 7;  Rev. 10:6; Acts 4:24; Neh. 9:6; Ps. 103:19-22; 148:2-5).

C.     Consider the Direct and Special Creation of Adam and Eve (Gen 2:7, 21-23; 1Cor. 11:8-9).

D.     Consider the Creation of Time (Gen. 1:1-5; Ex. 20:11; John 17:5).  “The study of physics tells us that matter and time and space must all occur together: if there is no matter, there can be no space or time either. Thus before God created the universe there was no time….”—Wayne Grudem

E.      Consider the Work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in Creation (1Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Job 33:4; 26:13).

II.                God’s Creation is Distinct from Himself, yet always Dependent upon Him—What is God’s relationship to His Creation?

A.     God is much Greater than Creation—Transcendent (Eph. 4:6).

B.     God is also very Involved with Creation—Immanent (Job 12:10; Acts 17:25, 28); Col.1:17; Heb. 1:3).

C.     “Christianity holds that God created out of nothing: God brought the universe into existence, and He sustains it in existence. Thus, he is in sovereign control of it. God is infinite, necessary and eternal; the creation is finite, contingent, and temporal. Hence there is a real and radical difference between the uncreated Creator and the created creation.”—Norman Geisler

III.             God Created the Universe to Show His Glory—Why did God create?

A.     All of Creation is Intended to Glorify God (Isa. 43:7; Ps. 19:1-2; Rev. 4:11).

B.     Creation shows God’s great power and wisdom (Jer. 10:12, 16).

C.     Creation demonstrates the goodness of God (Gen.1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).  God desired to share His goodness with His creatures. We should acknowledge His goodness and frequently give thanks for it in worship and praise.

D.     God created for His pleasure and not because He needed to (Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).

IV.              God Declared the Universe He Created “Very Good”—Has Creation fulfilled its Purpose?

A.     God Delighted in His Creation as He Purposed to do (Gen. 1:31; 1Tim. 4:4, 5).

B.     God Encourages Believers to Enjoy His Creation, but to live for Eternity (1Tim. 6:17-19)

Conclusion:

How should you respond to God as your Creator? Can you worship, praise, and thank Him with deeper conviction?

A Sacred Obligation!

I can recall back in the early 90s living in Germany and serving in the Air Force. We were young Christians discovering the blessings of God and thrilled with the salvation we have in Christ Jesus. Our church was hosting a special meeting with visiting missionaries from Romania, Bulgaria, and Germany. My wife and I volunteered to house a missionary family in our home. Since we had no children and we both were active duty Air Force, we shared a lot of the household responsibilities. Saturday was always an intense cleaning day in our little rented apartment. When it was confirmed we would host the missionary family from northern Germany, we spent two days fixing, cleaning, and arranging everything to ensure our home was perfect for our guest. After all these were special and sacrificial servants of God laboring in Germany to spread the Gospel and start churches. My wife and I planned meals, went grocery shopping, and made every arrangement possible to ensure our special guests felt welcomed and honored in our little apartment. Because we understood our home would receive such special guests we wanted to be sure everything was pleasing to them while they stayed for the conference. Beloved, the same is true regarding our heavenly “guest” who lives in our bodies. 

Ever wondered what sacred obligations rise out of the miracle that God lives in Believers? Certainly this fantastic privilege demands some kind of protocol! In light of the fact that our bodies as Christians are the hosts of a holy invasion from Heaven, Christians have a sacred and dignified calling. We want our holy Guest to feel perfectly at home in us. God requires practical recognition of this privilege by us all, and several righteous obligations surface throughout the New Testament. Recognizing the truth that God lives in each Believer stirs us to ensure that everything that could be done to honor our heavenly "Guest" is being done. Yes, there are many reasonable and practical implications to the Spirit’s indwelling of the people of God. Note what Paul states in First Corinthians 6:19–20,

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20, For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

You see, regeneration results in The Spirit indwelling us Believers—the new birth, and this demands sanctification or growth towards Christlikeness. A holy God living in us Believers utterly demands a ‘set apart’ lifestyle. This fundamental obligation is also at the heart of Romans 12:1, 2.  Because Christians are the unworthy recipients of the fantastic “mercies of God” we are to “present” our “bodies” as “living” sacrifices to the glory and pleasure of God by executing His “good, and acceptable, and perfect will.” While regeneration, forgiveness, adoption, and justification are free to us Believers, as Christian disciples we do have reasonable service obligations to our Master and Lord Jesus Christ. These obligations do not secure or maintain our salvation, but are a part of God’s design for a people who have no more obligations to sinful living. We are now wonderfully indebted to Christ and out of love and appreciation we now obey Him!

We Are God's Temples
Paul declares in the First Corinthians passage that Believer’s individual bodies are the “temple of the Holy Ghost” (1Cor. 6:19).  Perhaps this is one of the most profound and solemn truths of Scripture—every Believer has God living inside. It is not that we are gods, but that the True and Excellent God of glory lives in each of His children. God is not merely close to His beloved people, He actually inhabits/occupies our person in a rather mystical, spiritual, and supremely astounding way. Since the body of each individual Believer is the Spirit’s temple, how utterly inconsistent it is for Believers to pray for the indwelling of the Spirit! He takes up His abode in us at the moment of the new birth. Others have asked, “How could genuine Christians ever think of taking their body in which the Holy Spirit dwells and using it for vile purposes” (MacDonald & Farstad 1995. p. 1764)? It is utterly incongruent to wallow in sin and disobedience when we recognize a holy God lives within us! Dr. Wiersbe (1996, p. 589) concludes, the Heavenly Father made human bodies (1Cor. 6:12-14); the Lord Jesus “redeemed them and made them part of His body” (6:15-18); and the Spirit of God indwells Believers’ bodies, and “makes them the very temple of God” (6:19-20). Thus we are living, breathing, and walking temples of God. It is desperately incumbent upon us to be holy places, sanctuaries of righteousness, citadels of godly expression, and fortresses of grace. How can we defile God’s temple by using our bodies for immorality? There is no justification for desecrating a sacred place! So, beloved, the entire triune Godhead is involved in what we, the people of God, do with our bodies. If God’s children habitually violate God’s principles, then we can expect to suffer the consequences (Rom. 1:24–27). Beloved, it is our solemn responsibility to live for God and not for ourselves and sin.

There is another insight here that must not be overlooked; it is the fact that each church body is the temple of the Holy Spirit also. Notice the word “your” is plural, but the words “body” and “temple” are singular (1Cor. 6:19).  Clearly, each Believer’s body is a sanctuary for God (6:19). It may be that Paul is here describing not only the individual Believer, but also the local assembly in Corinth also.  Perhaps there is a double meaning suggested by this plural pronoun that applies to genuine New Testament churches today. The local church, as Christ’s body, is a spiritual temple for God the Spirit. This truth though substantiated here is taught in many other clear passages in the New Testament also (2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:21). For instance, the Apostle Paul says in First Corinthians 3:16-17, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” Clearly, Paul is addressing the entire church body as a unit—collectively as a dwelling place of God. So the Spirit has the individual Believer and the individual church body as temples He occupies and empowers for service.

Each local assembly is a “body” of people united to Jesus Christ. The conduct of individual members affects the spiritual life of the entire local church. But, what a special privilege it is to be God’s spiritual dwelling place, both individually and corporately! Remember the glory of God that filled the tabernacle (see Ex. 40:34) and the temple (see 1 Kin. 8:10, 11)? But, now the glorious Spirit of the Living God personally lives within every Believer (see John 14:16, 17) and thus inhabits each New Testament church body as it assembles for worship and service.  What an honor lavishly bestowed upon Believers and churches! But, the implications of these awesome privileges introduce equally magnificent responsibilities.  Since the blessed Holy Ghost inhabits the Christian and the church body, Believers must guard the sanctity, purity, and sacredness of both.

We Belong To Our Lord
One obvious implication is the individual Christian’s body belongs to God (1Cor. 6:19-20a).  Paul establishes that Christians are not their own based on this biblical premise.  Not only is their body the holy place of the Holy Spirit, but in addition, they no longer belong to them. The word “For” explains the reason we Believers are not our own (6:20a). The Spirit occupies that which Christ Jesus has purchased. If I am driving down the highway in the car I have paid for, then it is quite logical to conclude the car belongs to me. We can demonstrate ownership by purchase and by occupancy. God has performed both entitling actions regarding every Believer; therefore, Christians are not their own, but His own (John 13:1). The Believer’s Bible Commentary (MacDonald & Farstad 1995, p. 1764) says, “It is not for believers to take their bodies and use them any way they desire. In the final analysis, they do not belong to believers; they belong to the Lord.” Plainly stated Christians are the Lord’s!  Both by creation and redemption (6:20), but it is redemption or salvation that is particularly in view here. Because God owns us He occupies us, and since He lives in us we are obligated to live holy. This would demonstrate proper respect for the price paid for us and the nature of our holy resident.

God’s ownership of us Believers dates back to Calvary. The verb “bought” (1Cor. 6:20) means to purchase or redeem in the marketplace according to Word Pictures in the New Testament (Robertson, 1997, p. 123) and refers to Golgotha, where the awesome price was paid. God did not purchase our redemption while He was still in Heaven. No, He sacrificed and came here and then died at Calvary a Sacrifice for all sin.  He paid the redemption price in this old fallen sin cursed world. But, just as people take the items they purchase at the store home with them, Christ will one day redeem our bodies and take all Believers home with Him. We usually refer to this as the Rapture; it is the full realization of our redemption as well! What an exciting anticipation we have in the Lord Jesus (Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:14; 4:30; Phil. 3:20-21)!  Christ, by offering Himself for sinners as full payment for our sin, freed us Believers from the burden of paying it ourselves (1Cor. 7:23; Gal. 3:13; 2 Peter 2:1; Rev 5:9; 14:3, 4). Since Christ paid the price, He obligates us to Himself. Christ bought and paid for us Believers at a tremendous expense!  This being the case, we can no longer think of our bodies as our possessions. If we are to take them and use them in the ways we desire, then we are acting as a thief. By taking that which does not belong to us, we are behaving like owners with the full rights of our property. This is just the point; owners we are not. The property of Christ we are! He holds all the rights concerning us His property. We can no more take our bodies to do our own will, than we can take another’s home or car to use as we please! Christians belong to the Lord and are under His authority! The Life Application Commentary Series (Livingston Corporation 2000) expands further,

If you live as a tenet in a building owned by someone else, the landlord, naturally you would try not to violate the building’s rules. Likewise it follows that because your body belongs to God, you must not violate his standards for living.

Furthermore it is suggested, that each Believer make a practice of self-examination. That is an occasional body check up in prayer before the Lord. Reflecting on how we are treating our bodies, ask God to point out any thoughts or behaviors that need change or improvement.

We Have A Sacred Obligation
Then Paul connects the use of the body with the highest Christian motive—to glorify God! Each Christian should live to ensure his body glorifies God (1Cor. 6:20).  Do not miss the force of Paul’s clear statement: “Therefore, glorify God in your body!”  This is not a suggestion, but a forceful command and it must be obeyed explicitly and implicitly.  Christians need not pray about whether or not to obey; God has spoken clearly. God’s people need to meditate on the implications of this imperative to ensure we apply this principle to our lives in a comprehensive manner. Essentially, we Believers must use our bodies to glorify God, the One to whom they actually belongs. It is reasonable that God’s people should live to honor Him supremely. If I painted a brilliant portrait then that picture should bring honor to me. If I purchased an exceedingly rare car then that purchase should bring honor to me. Since God made us and then purchased us it is right that we bring credit, honor, and glory to Him who owns us. The logical implications of being a possession of God are both negative and positive.  There are practices we Christians should give ourselves to, and other behaviors we must forsake forever in obedience to this injunction.

First and negatively, every Believer should eliminate behaviors that defile the body. Fleshly practices such as fornication, alcohol drinking, illegal/harmful drugs usage, body piercing and mutilation, tattooing, and gluttony should be eliminated from our lifestyles. The deletion of degrading and tainting behaviors to the body is mandated in this passage. Though many have tried to justify or rationalize all of these practices as being appropriate and acceptable for Christians, they are still “defiling” behaviors. Sex outside of marriage is specifically highlighted as a “sin against the body” (1Cor. 3:18) and Believers must stop this. Too many of today’s so called churches only wink at this injunction while the preachers, choir members, and church members habitually engage in this type of sin. This is a grossly embarrassing admission and I have no delight in stated it. It is a painful thing to say because Christ is gravely dishonored by such carnal behavior. If all the truth is told, many of these folks are not real Believers at all, but some unfortunately are. God expects Christians to relate to others both socially and sexually within the relational parameters laid down in His Word. These forms of behavior obviously pollute the body, God’s temple. Beloved, this is criminal behavior!

Secondly and positively, we should display the Spirit of Christ who has come to dwell within us. The Holy Spirit was given for the purpose of glorifying Jesus Christ (John 16:14). A life truly submitted to the power of the Spirit of Grace will exalt, magnify, and make much of the Lord Jesus Christ as a habit. When the Spirit is influencing a person they will bring positive attention to the Lord Jesus. The kind of attention that the Heavenly Father is pleased with, though some people will resent, is our responsibility. We are to manifest His character, calling, and principles. The Spirit can also use Believers’ bodies to glorify and magnify Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:20–21). This special relationship to the Holy Spirit brings with it this particular responsibility. Servicing God through His church, getting reasonable exercise, maintaining a diet that promotes health, and wearing an attractive smile are all fitting responsibilities. In addition, dressing modestly and appropriately is also a part of obeying the Lord in this regard. Our culture really could use some models of sensible dress and appearance. Far too many Christians take their cues from Hollywood celebrities, rap stars, and rock and roll artists when it comes to their attire. Really…really...really it is pleasing to God to show less skin and cover up more. While no one is asking anyone to dress like someone from a Muslim country, we could do more to cultivate a healthy respect for the sanctity of the human body. It is good to keep some secrets regarding our physique or figure. Do not fall into the traps of promoting fleshly lust by portraying yourself as a sex symbol. Our society is sex crazed enough already; we do not need the people of Christ promoting a culture of recreational sex and promiscuity! The terrible price of the incalculably valuable blood of Christ demanded nothing less than departure from such sinful practices (1Pet 1:18, 19). 

Another rational implication is that no Christian person can say this is ‘my body.’ Why? Because we have been “bought with a price”—ransomed by Christ’s shed blood and death. The clear inference is that the Christian’s task is to honor God above all. Beloved, we must “glorify” God with our body! Certainly no one who is right with the Lord should claim some supposed ‘right’ to do what they will with their body in order to justify an abortion.  I am sorry, but no Believer can justify gross tattoos or excessive body piercing under the delusion that they are not hurting anyone by what they do with their body. The point here is clear, God owns the body and has a dignified, and holy purpose that brings glory to Him for each of us. Since He has purchased and lives in us, our persons are unarguably His! Bates (MacDonald & Farstad 1995, p. 1765) helps us with the practice of this truth in this devotion exclamation:

Head! Think of Him whose brow was thorn-girt. Hands! Toil for Him whose hands were nailed to the cross. Feet! Speed to do His behests whose feet were pierced. Body of mine! Be His temple whose body was wrung with pains unspeakable.

Paul adds one other requirement based on the truth that Believers belong to God entirely. We Christians must also glorify God in our “spirit,” (1 Cor. 6: 20) since both material and immaterial parts of Believers are God’s possessions.  Every attitude should be invested richly with His grace and rooted deeply in the fruit of the Spirit with no displays of the flesh. Yes, we are to have holy attitudes and motives because these evidence redemption and honor our Master. We may need to take precautions with those things that spoil or influence our attitudes negatively. This will certainly require policing up our entertainment and media selections. I know people who become aggravatingly aggressive because of their music selections or the movies they watch. I have witness Christians I respect get all bent out of shape over a sporting event where their team lose a big game. They were obviously depressed for days over a game of entertainment! I have heard of people reading porn magazines and/or romance novels habitually and they became utterly dissatisfied with their spouses. As a result rejection, pain and frustration followed. Smoldering sourness, bitterness, resentment, discontentment, and anger in their hearts was fanned into a flame of destructive energy. How? The stuff they read, the counsel they listened to, the friends they embraced, and media outlets they participated in stimulated sinful indulgences rooted in their emotions, attitudes, and motives. If you do not realize it yet, sin is NOT your friend! It is a deadly enemy, and God desires to limit its influence in your experience and free you from its power. Instead of wrath, anger, hatred, fear, bitterness, and resentment enslaving our spirits to sin, there must be faith, love, holiness, joy, self-control, peace, and patience. This is what God wants for us. The Lord Jesus would have the climate in our souls to be filled with love, joy, and peace. He would have us beam with hope, contentment, holy enthusiasm, and faith! God does not want us to be old grouches filled with the devil; no, instead we are to be grace filled saint of Christ thriving for His glory! We need far more exposure to the Word of God to cultivate the correct kind of spirit. Paul prescribes thinking on the correct subject matter to cultivate a holy attitude and thought life. He says,

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Phil. 4:8).

It really does matter what you put into your mind, it will influence your meditations and attitudes. The wisdom we embrace within will become the expressions we give ourselves to (James 3). Therefore, treasure up in your heart truths about the incredible character of God. Meditate in the Scriptures on His faithfulness, power, wisdom, love, mercy, grace, justice, and righteousness, and this will surely transform the climate deep within our spirits. Take a long look at God's salvation gift to us as Believers concentrating on what He has done, is doing, and will do for us. Think about regeneration, adoption, sealing by the Spirit, justification, forgiveness, redemption, and glorification as healthy points of reflection. I know from experience this will minister grace into your soul. I realize life is busy and there are many demands on your energies, but this discipline is worthwhile in multiple ways. Make the time to cultivate the right kind of climate in your soul and spirit. Put this on your schedule and keep this appointment. During certain seasons of intense struggles I have increased the amount of time I actually spend with passages that shape my mind and heart. I love using Philippians, Ephesians, and Romans in the New Testament. The Book of Psalms is a great point of meditation from the Old Testament as well. God has helped me in meaningful ways through this discipline. I recommend this knowing He will do the same for you.

Beloved, our lives are dignified by a holy obligation rooted in our redemption that results in the glory of God our Father. God lives in us; we are the hosts of a "Holy Guest." Our bodies are sacred because God lives within us. It is incumbent upon every Believer to live like God is at home within us. Actually our bodies are His home; He owns us entirely. We have only mentioned a few of the natural implications of this tremendous honor. The rest is for you to discover in your personal walk with the Lord. Stay near the Lord; cultivate holy fellowship and daily communion with Him. Allow Him to show you more of what it means for you to glorify Him in your body and spirit because they both belong to Him. Then give yourself to these insights with all your heart. As you do so, He will be honored through you!