I Am Not My Own

I was going to blog about refresh and even started writing the post but then felt compelled to share something else with you guys. Don't worry, I will get to writing a recap about refresh. I promise. Also, this is technically related to refresh.

At Refresh summit I had the opportunity to share a short devotional on Saturday morning and I thought that I would share some of what I talked about that morning with you guys. To some of you this may be something that you have heard before but for others, this may be a new concept.

Our theme at refresh this year was Transformed and Free and was based off from Colossians 3. This scripture talks about putting on the new self when we identify ourselves as children of God. Amia did a fantastic job at drawing this out over the course of the weekend but I decided to hone into a specific area of our lives where we are called to be transformed and free.

I started off by sharing this excerpt from Milton Vincent's book "A Gospel Primer"

Transformed by Glory

"The glory of God is the most powerful agent of transformation available to mankind. It is so powerful that it transforms those who merely gaze upon it. The Apostle Paul gives personal testimony concerning this stunning fact. 'But we all,' he says, 'beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.' From Paul's testimony I learn that if I wish to become all that God wants me to be, I must behold His glory each day. But where do I find God's glory to behold? Indeed, the glory of God is revealed throughout all Creation, but the Bible indicated that, outside of heaven, the glory of God in its thickest density dwells inside the gospel. It is for this reason that the gospel is described in Scripture as 'the gospel of the glory of Christ' and 'the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.' Consequently, as I habitually gaze upon the glory of the Lord revealed in the gospel, I can know that actual deposits of God's very glory are attaching themselves to my person and transforming me from one level of glory to another. This transformation is deep and abiding, and unflaggingly displays the glory of God to others."

This is some powerful stuff. We are being transformed by the glory of God as we daily gaze upon the gospel. This transformation is deep and true. When we see this transformation happen it isn't merely a small change but rather a complete transformation.

I decided to concentration on how this transformation takes place in how we view our bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

When we decided to become a part of the family of God, a great transformation happens. It is not something that happens over night but through time. As we become more and more like God and as we habitually gaze upon His glory we become more and more like Him. As children of God, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit that dwells inside of us. With the Holy Spirit living inside of us, our bodies become a sacred place. A temple. We are no longer our own. Not because we earned it or bought it, but because Jesus died so that we could have this choice. Because of this, God sees Jesus' perfect blood instead of our imperfections. So we are called to glorify God in our bodies.

Therefore, we should honor God with the way that we take care of our bodies. In 1 Corinthians 10:31

we are instructed to do everything unto the glory of God. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever

you do, do all to the glory of God” (ESV).

Whatever you do, do it ALL to the glory of God... Let that sink in for a moment. Do Everything for God's glory...

Stop for a moment and imagine with me that I asked you to take care of one of my children. I would be trusting you with their life and would be trusting that you would take care of them and provide them what they need. You would feed them when they are hungry, change their diaper if need be and put them down for naps when they are tired... wouldn't you take the utmost care of my child knowing that this child is not yours?

Why is it any different with our bodies? Our bodies do not belong to us. They belong to God. He has just entrusted us to take care of them and glorify Him with how we care for them. When we are transformed, this changes us to view our body as belonging to God.

This does not mean rigid workout schedules and confined rules for eating. We are not meant to create idols out of caring for ourselves. Christ has set us free... He transforms us and sets us free to glorify Him with our body. We are free from guilt and condemnation in how we view and care for our bodies. We are called to take care of our bodies to the best of our ability and glorify God in everything we do.

So my questions for you today are: Do you view your body as not your own? and Do you care for your body as though it belongs to God?

**You can find the awesome temporary scripture tattoo I have and other awesome ones over at Armed with Truth

It is a fun and creative way to memorize scripture and provides immediate scriptural encouragement and truth :)