1Timothy 4:7-8: "Exercise thyself unto godliness: for
bodily exerciseis profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable
for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that
which is to come."
The relationship and influence of the BODY
to religion has always been the engaged attention of many attentive
religious men. Human opinion has oscillated between two extremes:
Extreme 1:
Some religions have considered that the body was the seat of sin, and
have set themselves to degrade and debase the body with every
humiliation and torture.This conception has influenced devoutly
religious and intentioned people in the East, and Western monasticism.
But
in reality sin must be dealt with as the matter of the heart of soul
not the physical torture of the physical body. Sin has its inception and
spring itself in the human heart and soul. It is easy to chop up or
macerate the body, while the pride of self-centeredness and
self-mortification is left undetected in the heart and soul of men. If
we deal with our bad thought and evil thoughts, we shall not have so
much trouble with the body, which is only the dial-plate that registers
the workings within.
Extreme 2:
The other extreme was depicted and represented in the Greek religion.
The architectural buildings and temples that stand in ruins. We can look
at history and see these superb artistic works which have survived the
wreck of centuries; its poetry and literature, sustain and illustrate
the supreme devotion of the Greek mind to beauty and nature.
The Christian Position: However, the Christian position differs from both extremes stated above. To
us the body is the temple, the instrument, the weapon of the soul. The
Holy Spirit quickens our mortal body by His indwelling, and in the faces
and lives of holy men and women we may trace the growing results of the
inward power and beauty of pure and undefiled religion.
It
is good to care for the body, but only as we should care for a complex
and fine piece of machinery which is to serve us. There are gifts in us,
which we must not neglect, or it will go hard with us when we meet our
Master, who entrusted them to our stewardship. Probably the trials and
temptations of life are intended to give us that inward training which
shall bring our spiritual muscles into play.In each of us there is much
unused force; many moral and spiritual faculties,which would never be
used, if it were not for the wrestling which we are compelled to take up
with principalities and powers, with difficulty and sorrow. The Apostle
bids us take heed to ourselves, and to live in the atmosphere of
uplifting thought and of self-denying ministry (1Timothy 4:13-15).
Mold
Us O God into forms of beauty and usefulness by the wheel of Thy
providence, and by the touch of Thy hand. Fulfill Thy Plans in us and
change us to be thy Image of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Taniela Fonua (aka) Lapaifonua
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