As Your disciple, Lord, I must come to terms with my body. When Jesus saved me, He did not do it in units; He did it wholly. My hand is as much redeemed as my soul, and my brain just as much covered by the blood of Christ as my heart.
When Aaron was consecrated as high priest, the sacrificial blood was placed on his right ear, right thumb, and right big toe (Exodus 29:20). Were You being picky, Lord? No, I see it now. The lesson is obvious: Aaron’s body, just as much as his heart, had to be priestly. That is why the sin of the golden calf was so odious and reprehensible to God. Later the body that God had appointed to service and consecrated by blood callously fashioned a golden idol for the people to worship (Exodus 32:1–6)!
God, do not let me repeat Aaron’s sin! Do not let me use what Jesus so painfully purchased to do that which Jesus personally despises. I am owned, I am His possession. I have no right to throw my gold into the fire and make myself an idol. I dare not defile my body that way.
I see now why Paul said, “I beat my body” (1 Corinthians 9:27, NIV). As a disciple, I must pummel my body into submission rather than let it violate my calling. How often I must do it! My enemies are the world, the flesh, the devil, and my body. How often my spirit wants to soar into the heavenlies and conquer with Christ but is dragged down and hindered by my glands, my nerve impulses.
Yet, Lord, I rejoice in that happy word of Paul: “The Spirit … will… give life to your mortal bodies” (Romans 8:11, NIV). The Spirit is sent from Jesus to minister to the body as well as the soul, to quicken it when it flags, to revive it when it slumps, and to manifest Christ’s complete redemption over me. Lord, let my body fly the flag of His victory!
“May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5.23).
Daily with the King 