PRESENT YOUR BODY A LIVING SACRIFICE

BODY.

GOD IS THE CREATOR OF THE HUMAN BODY:
As an artist gives value to his or her work, so God gives infinite value to us by being our artist. God's character goes into the creation of every person. When you feel worthless or even begin to hate yourself, remember that God's Spirit is ready and willing to work within you. We should have as much respect for ourselves as our Maker has for us. 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.
Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. (1 Corinthians 15:42)

WE DO NOT DIE WHEN OUR PHYSICAL BODY DIES:
In this section Paul launches into a discussion about what our resurrected bodies will be like. If you could select your own body, what kind would you choose-strong, athletic, beautiful? Paul explains that we will be recognized in our resurrected bodies, yet they will be better than we can imagine, for they will be made to live forever. Our present bodies are perishable and liable to decay. Our resurrection bodies will be transformed. We will still have our own personalities and individualities, but these will be perfected through Christ's work. These spiritual bodies will not be limited by the laws of nature. This does not necessarily mean we'll be superhuman, but our bodies will be different and more capable than our present earthly bodies. The Bible does not reveal everything that our resurrected bodies will be able to do, but we know they will be perfect, without sickness or disease (see Philippians 3:21).

Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? (Romans 12:1)

OUR BODY IS TO BE A LIVING SACRIFICE:
When sacrificing an animal according to God's law, a priest would kill the animal, cut it in pieces, and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important (see 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6; Amos 5:21-24). God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices-daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven.

Don't you know 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)

GOD'S SPIRIT LIVES IN THE BODIES OF CHRISTIANS:
What did Paul mean when he said that our body belongs to God? Many people say they have the right to do whatever they want with their own bodies. Although they think that this is freedom, they are really enslaved to their own desires. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit fills us and lives within us. Therefore, we no longer own our body. "Bought with a high price" refers to slaves purchased at auction. Christ's death freed us from sin but also obligates us to his service. If you live in a building owned by someone else, you try not to violate the building rules. Because your body belongs to God, you must not violate his standards for living.