1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
“May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” vs. 23
Paul closes his first letter to the Thessalonians with a benediction that reveals the depth of his love. He prays that God would sanctify them entirely and that they might be found blameless when the Lord Jesus returns. In offering this blessing, he mentions their spirit, soul and body–the totality of who they are. His words reflect the distinction we sometimes make between our internal and external lives. So often we act as though God only cares about our interior selves, our spirits and souls, and that the way we treat our bodies doesn’t make much difference. In fact, when we look around, even in our congregations, it seems obvious that many neglect the physical in their effort to live sanctified lives. We eat poorly, exercise seldom, and imagine that the exterior self requires little care. In truth, God cares deeply about diet and exercise…our bodies are a precious gift and deserve the best care possible. Healthy self-care requires that we balance the needs of body, soul, and spirit with careful attention to study, prayer, and action. It’s not that we’re involved in some sort of competition or that God is going to weed out the unfit in the last judgment…our discipline is simply our grateful response to the creative act of love that has given us existence.
Thought for the Day: What can I do to become more fit?
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