On Sunday, Rich Whitter delivered a great message at Cross Community about how God has decided to making his living place within us, how we are the temple of God. We were reminded that God no longer lives in houses made by human hands (Acts 7:48). He now lives in us. I’ve been thinking about that ever since. He told us that we are the temple of the Living God.
A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I went to some meetings for pastors. We were visiting an unnamed city and state, but rest assured, the culture was a bit different that what we are currently accustomed to. Our current location emphasizes, sometimes to a fault, physical appearance. I was taken aback by the number of overweight people present. I don’t mean to be cruel, but the average weight of the people in this group was well over average. Again, these were pastors and leaders. Without being too judgmental, I think this may reveal several problems. At least many people perceive this to be a problem. I don’t like it when people characterize Christ followers and especially pastors as lazy, fried chicken eaters. We may really be hindering our effectiveness in a world that is so health-conscious.
While some people have health issues that prevent them from losing weight, many people lack the discipline it takes to be healthy.
We are the temple of God, shouldn’t we take care of ourselves? We want to feel good and be strong and have good health because we are God’s house. We want to live long lives so we can accomplish more for God. Doesn’t it make sense that we should stay in some kind of reasonable physical shape? We can glorify God more through our bodies if they are healthy.
You only have one body – take care of it, because it belongs to God.
Thoughts on Life and Leading 
Hey Rick! I agree. I’ve always been bothered by the Philippians 3:19 that mentions “Their god is their stomach.” I admit my stomach has been my god at times.
I’ve also recently noticed Ezekiel 16:49. I’ve always assumed that the sin of Sodom was pride. That verse however, says: “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom:(A) She and her daughters were arrogant,(B) overfed and unconcerned;(C) they did not help the poor and needy.
I’m trying to watch my eating now more than ever before. You’re right. Pastors need to be examples, even in the “acceptable” sins. Sin is sin.
Good post Rick! I was reading yesterday how Paul exhorts us to glorify God in our bodies and spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:12-13 & 6:19-20) Sometimes I think confuse the term “All things are lawful (or permissible) for me.” This does not give us the right to abuse our bodies that God paid such a high price for. I like how it is addressed too in The Message, “First you eat to live, and then you live to eat.” This leads to, as you pointed out Eddie in Ezekiel, “overfed and unconcerned.” Keeps us lazy! He honored us with a body (Temple) so we ought to honor Him by not giving into something that technically is okay (may be “acceptable sin”) but is definitely not spiritually (or physically) right for us to over indulge in. Hey, I admit “I LOVE MY BACON!” But it’s not long and my body “shows me” how much IT HATES IT! Okay, I have to admit too, sometimes I ignore what my body is saying. I mean, come on man, IT’S BACON!
Gluttony is an acceptable sin…