The Sanctification of Our Bodies

Our bodies are sacred, a divine gift that God has given us. Created with immense care and detail, our bodies are not mere vessels for our souls, but they are how we interact with the world and express our devotion to God. Thus, we come to a crucial question: how do we honor God with our bodies?

Scripture teaches us that our bodies are both a gift and a responsibility. For example, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “You are not your own.” What a striking and powerful declaration, reminding us that we belong to God. We have been redeemed by Christ, who incarnated in human form, thus emphasizing the sanctity of the body. We see the significance of the body in the divine plan, and as Christ has restored us, it is only right that we utilize our bodies to glorify Him.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 says, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” We mentioned in a previous lesson that to be sanctified (hagiazo) is to be made holy (hagios). We also mentioned that this means to be separated and set apart to God, which requires moral purity. 1 Thessalonians 4 makes it clear that what we do with our physical bodies is a central part of sanctification.

These verses emphasize self-control and aligning our physical desires with God’s values and purposes. In a world that often encourages uninhibited indulgence, Scripture calls for a reevaluation of our actions. The sanctification of our bodies is intertwined with our sexual choices, indicating that purity and righteousness in this domain are essential components of living a sanctified life.

Throughout history, Christians have differed in their approach to sexuality from the surrounding culture. In the first century of Christianity, the world around the Church was full of sexual freedom, particularly among men. Men were free to visit prostitutes and, in certain parts of Greek culture, to have relationships with young boys.

It is for this reason that the New Testament, particularly Paul, repeatedly instructs Christians to stay away from sexual immorality and to be faithful to their spouses. As we reflect on Scripture, we can see that these behaviors resonate with a deep understanding of the body’s sanctity and the spiritual significance of sexual union. Sexuality, in the Christian understanding, was about mutual love, commitment, and the potential for procreation, echoing God’s love for humanity.

Understanding sanctification gives us great insight into how we should treat our bodies. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, it is not just the spirit or soul that God purifies and sets apart, but the body, as well, is interwoven in this divine transformation, indicating that sanctification is not just an inner spiritual journey but also involves our physical existence.

We might wonder, what does it mean to sanctify the body? It is certainly not about attaining physical perfection or adhering to society’s standards of beauty. Sanctification of the body is much deeper. It is about living in such a way that our actions, behaviors, and choices resonate with God’s desires for us, which are for our best.

In terms of action, Acts 6 underscores the importance of mercy and love-in-action. We see clearly that the early church wasn’t solely focused on spiritual matters. They actively engaged in acts of kindness, feeding the hungry and caring for the destitute. This act showcases the value they placed on the sanctity of human life, understanding that honoring God with our bodies also means looking out for the well-being of others.

James 2 pointedly indicts anyone who would say their faith didn’t need to reach a point of action. James 2:18 criticizes someone who would say they have faith without any action to prove it. He says, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

The sanctification of our bodies is a journey that may start with partial surrender in this or that area. But it really goes into gear when we fully surrender our bodies to God. Nothing else is worthy of the Lord! 

Then, throughout our whole lives, we will need to continue to make conscious choices, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to keep living a life aligned with God's purpose for our body. These can be acts of love and kindness. They can be us keeping ourselves morally pure. These choices can be treating our own bodies with respect.