Body Beautiful?

Christians are sometimes accused of being obsessed with sex, a charge based on the perception that Christians say more about sexual morals than almost any other area of morality. Without defending lack of Christian engagement in poverty or education policy, “there is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others” (16,20, The Message). Being a Christian is not just about mind and imagination; the incarnation clearly kicks that idea into touch. How we use our physical bodies is of great importance to God, and misusing the gift of sex is a sin against our own bodies (18). Our physical bodies are members of Christ himself (15); the implication being that physical union with someone else must reflect our union with Christ. The one-flesh relationship of marriage between a man and a woman reflects and underlies the relationship we have with Christ (Eph. 5:29-32).

In prostitution and, by implication, in every other sexual activity outside marriage “there is no true oneness and therefore there should be no one-flesh either” (Os Guinness). We witness the fractured relationships that result when people try to find that oneness outside of God’s plan. Sinning against our bodies has psychological consequences for us and others.

Our society puts undue emphasis on beautiful bodies. Think of the millions spent on cosmetic surgery annually. The body is to be pampered, nipped and tucked in a battle to fight aging and to maintain youthfulness. The resulting pressure, particularly although not exclusively on young girls, is well-documented. God does not ask us to ignore the health and well-being of our bodies. He simply reminds us that they are not ours to do with as we please. More positively, our bodies provide an opportunity for glorifying him and enjoying his many gifts.

Our bodies cry out to be indulged. What will it mean today for you to glorify God in your body?