03/18/2023
How do we reconcile our physical and spiritual selves so that they both mirror Jesus? Sometimes we are so wrapped up in conforming our physical selves that we forget the spiritual side of who we are... or vice versa.
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV
One Wednesday evening I was in a bible study and my pastor began teaching by asking us an unusual question... "What is real?" ... then after some discussion we were able to conclude that there are three ways most people answer this question:
1. Our Spiritual Self alone is real
2. Our Physical Self alone is real
Or
3. Both our Physical and Spiritual Selves together are real.
It is amazing but every culture and religion has a certain way of deriving the answer to this question and thus in seeing the world and seeking God. For Christians and Jews it is always number three. Our bibles begin with our Spiritual God creating the physical everything... but it goes a step further when He breathes life into man; His physical creation. He gives us a spiritual self to go along with our physical bodies, and from that moment forth, we have had to reconcile the two within ourselves, one to the other. In my morning devotional reading Oswald Chambers spoke of our reconciliation and hope in Christ in this way…
"By sanctification the Son of God is formed in me, then I have to transform my natural life into a spiritual life by obedience to Him. God educates us down to the scruple." - Oswald Chambers
Historically we haven't been too good at this, and a struggle has ensued between our spirits and our bodies which first came into being in the Garden of Eden when at the base of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil man fell to temptation, and the breath of God’s spirit, the life that was there in us, was choked by a swallow of sin and death. Our physical human side ate of the fruit and the peace that had existed between our body and spirit became a struggle, and then a full-fledged war. Our spirit and our physical selves have been at loggerheads ever since.
But God wasn't caught unaware in Eden... He had a plan from the moment of creation to not only reunite man with Himself, but to reconcile man's physical and spiritual selves with one another. In the perfect fullness of time He sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for man's sins and to teach him how to bring peace to both his physical and spiritual selves… it was a lesson in love.
“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”
Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV
Jesus was born, suffered, died, and was resurrected to reconcile man to God. As Christians we believe this to be the true will of God; Jesus was born in love, and not only made real at the perfect time, but once and for all.
“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Hebrews 10:10 ESV
But in Christ He also taught us a series of lessons that gave us an understanding of how to live at peace with one another, and at spiritual peace within our physical selves.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
So every moment of every day we are meant to focus our attention on Jesus, and in prayer and deed we should seek to be like Him. Spiritually and physically our desire should be to realize our transformation into the likeness of Christ. Oswald Chambers described this eloquently by saying...
"I have to cleanse myself from all filthiest of the flesh and spirit until both are in accord with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I insubordinate in intellect?... I have the responsibility of keeping my spirit in agreement with His Spirit" - Oswald Chambers
In prayer we maintain our relationship with the Lord, and through Jesus Christ that relationship has been made whole once more. Through Him, we are taught about how to walk with God and He brings us together physically and spiritually so that our physical actions can be reconciled equally with our spirituality.
When we reach this peace within ourselves, and those around us, we become holy, and our two selves work together to serve God, and thus reach eternity with Him. Are we reflecting Jesus in body and spirit? Are we becoming all that God wills us to be? Are we becoming like Jesus in body and spirit?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your breath that made me not only the physical creature you created, but instilled in me a spiritual self... a soul, that joins me in close relationship with you. I thank you Lord for your Son Jesus who served as the lamb, the dove, and the sacrifice for my sins that returned me, without sin, to you. I thank you Holy Father for the love in my life... yours for me, mine for you, and my ability to love myself and others. I thank you for the teaching of Jesus that instructs me in how to live my life for you, and I thank you for the Holy Spirit which gives me understanding. Father, in all things I praise you; with my body and spirit I praise you. In both body and spirit I seek your presence, and desire to serve you always. Your grace abounds, and you are sufficient for me in all that I am.
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Thessalonians 5:23
Rich Forbes