For now, a temple, and in the future, glorified.
This is the third post in the series on transformation which is the theme I’m reflecting upon during the month of May. Last time, I shared the promise of a Transformed; New Heart. And, here, I am reflecting on the promise of a new body in Jesus Christ.
My journaling is in 100 Days of Bible Promises. The devotional for day 34 is talking about how God demonstrated His love for us with the death of Jesus Christ. Because of that sacrifice, we who put our faith in Him for salvation have a transformed body.
For now, our bodies have become a temple of God. And we are promised that, in the future, we will receive an eternal, glorified body just like Jesus Christ.
Part of the reason I used clouds here is as a reminder to have a heavenly mindset about our bodies; one that is rooted in God’s word.
1. Our body is not our own
[1 Corinthians 3:16-17] “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
[1 Corinthians 6:18-20] “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Our bodies belong to God and as such is another thing we are given to steward.
2. Our body is deteriorating but healing is possible
We also know that our bodies are gradually deteriorating because of The Fall just like the rest of creation. However, we also know that God is our Great Physician. As Creator, He is the expert, He knows how to care for it best, so we should rely on Him to lead us in its care.
Now, I haven’t had the best experience with doctors, although I recognize many who have. I also acknowledge that many doctors are gifted by God with insight and understanding, and are used to bring healing to others.
I think part of the reason why I haven’t had good experiences with doctors, and the medical field in general, is so that I would learn to turn to God first. And also, to have the testimony of His healing power in order to encourage others. I’ve experience His healing a few times.
Once, it was for something as simple as stiff muscles which were painful. He told me to stretch them. I did and that worked right away.
Another time was, many years ago, when I was a few weeks pregnant with my daughter and I had symptoms of the flu. One night, I was in bed about to fall sleep and was very congested, so congested that I had to breathe through my mouth. I asked God to heal me, but instead He brought to mind something that I’d learned months before which is that many women have a flu of sorts in the early stages of pregnancy as the body’s way of protecting the baby. So then I said, okay, could You at least clear my congestion so I could sleep? And He did. I got immediate relief and was able to breathe through my nose.
Also, a few years ago, I was diagnosed with a condition called Adenomyosis; which is basically an inflamed uterus causing painful, heavy bleeding during my cycle and chronic anemia. I again asked for healing and this one took several years. There were a lot of contributing factors that needed to be addressed, including chronic stress and dietary changes. My doctor eventually placed me on an IUD which gave me some relief. That break from being depleted each month gave me the mental clarity to learn about the body, my body specifically, and understand what changes I could make. But then, after a year, God led me to have the IUD removed and invited me to pray for spiritual healing. He reminded me that He is the same God who healed the woman with the bleeding problem in Mark 5. And again, He did so right away. I did not do any testing to confirm this, but my symptoms are gone.
he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
I’m thankful for His body which was broken for me so that mine didn’t have to be. I’m thankful that His body was broken so I would be healed.
3. Our bodies hold the promise of an eternal one
Our God keeps us until our purpose is complete and then He takes us home. Until then, however, we will experience challenges, but we have access to healing now as we look forward to our eternal body
In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Paul writes “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
[Romans 8:11] “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
[Philippians 1:6] “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
[Philippians 3:20-21] “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
As we wait for this promise
As we wait, consider what done in a temple – prayer, worship, sacrifice, communion with God. As temples, people have access to God through us.
I love the imagery of the flower and the butterfly used in these pages. In a seed is the promise of a flower. In a caterpillar is the promise of a butterfly. That is their innate nature that will be brought forth. Similarly, in our mortal body lies the promise of a new, eternal body.
Without knowledge of this, it can be confusing when we’re in that transition period before the transformation. A seed when it’s buried or a caterpillar when it is a chrysalis. Without knowledge of what comes after, that transition period may be confusing and even scary. But afterwards, after the transformation, they flourish and go on to bear seeds and eggs. So too are we to live by faith now as we wait.
I think these things are all very good reasons to be grateful, to be thankful, and to rejoice!
I’ll wrap up with 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – “Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
I encourage you to break the bread in the days to come, especially if you’re asking the Lord for healing. I suggest using actual bread, whether that is a cracker or some other type of bread, and actually break or tear it. The experience of hearing the sound of breaking and seeing the bread torn is so visceral as you remember and give thanks.
Process and products used:
These pages in 100 Days of Bible Promises by Shanna Noel feature the following products by Creative Worship Stamps. These are affiliate links, please see the Privacy Policy for details.
- Faith Definitions 2 stamp set
- Spring Collage Tag Stamp Set
- Tag & More Die Set
- Vintage Ledger Page stamp
- Cloudy Day Edge stencil
- Vintage Butterflies & Blooms stamp set
- He Proved His Love stamp set
- Boss Lady Alpha stamp set
- Boss Lady Outline Alpha
** Watch the process on YouTube here: Transformed – New Body
Be encouraged
🎶 The Finished Work of Christ ~ Stillcreek
I will ever boast in my Saviour
Innocent, yet dying in my place
His wounds have brought me peace
His blood has covered me
By his grace I have been saved
In the finished work of Christ
My soul will ever stand
For the grave is overcome
All power is in his hands
Now the fear of death is gone
With Jesus I will rise
Singing hallelujah
For the finished work of Christ
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24
