“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If you are going to follow Jesus Christ, it is going to cost you. Make no mistake about it, following Jesus will be the most fulfilling and rewarding thing you could ever do. But that does not mean it comes without a cost.
We looked at the first cost yesterday: your time. If you are going to follow God, it will require giving your time to Him. But there is more… it will also cost you YOUR BODY.
“My body? Pastor, why would it cost my body?” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 answers that question. It says, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
When you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit is the gift He gives you, to live inside of you and guide your life. And you are no longer your own, but you belong to God. You are HIS. And this means treating your body in a way that is honoring to Him.
We have spent the last few days talking about “being different,” and how as believers, we are called to be different from the rest of the world. How can we be different? By using our bodies, not as we please but as God pleases.
The world tells you to “have fun” or “just do what feels good.” “You only live once,” they say. But this framework is not what should guide the decisions you make when it comes to your body. The world regularly practices sexual immorality, heavy drinking, and the use of abusive substances.
They do this to “feel good.” It makes their body feel good, and thus that is why they chase these physical pleasures. But that is not what God has instructed us to do. He wants us to honor Him with our bodies.
If you are going to follow Christ and be different, it will come at a cost. It will not only cost your time, but it will cost your body. Are you ready to give your body to Christ?