Date: May 28, 2013 10:00 PM
Topic: +DEV+  You are NOT Your Own!

You are NOT Your Own!

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit...? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 6:17-20

Young people regularly ask me, "Pastor Mike, is it okay for me to get a permanent tattoo or a piercing?" I usually respond, "Why do you want to get one?" The answer is always the same. They see it as a further expression of themselves.

The real question to ask is this: will this glorify God since He purchased my body with the precious blood of His Son? We have a tendency to think that the Lord's involvement in our spiritual lives is okay, but when it comes to our bodies, that's off limits!

Paul reminds us that we used to use our bodies for all sorts of unsavory and sinful practices. But now, since we are united to Christ and His beloved servants, we are NOT our own. Our rights are forfeited for His right to do with us as He pleases. Paul proclaims, "I am not my own; I am bought with a price!" With joy he admits that he used to be a slave to sin, to self, and to Satan but now is a slave to a gracious, good master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Commit to Him with all your heart, soul, body, and strength, with or without tattoos.

Insight: As our reasonable Christian service, we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord! (Romans 12:1-2)




Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.