When you look in the mirror, what do you think?

There are certain places that people treat differently because of what they represent.

A courthouse, a memorial, a cemetery, a church sanctuary. Even people who do not regularly think about such things often recognize that these places have a significance beyond the bricks, wood, or stone from which they are built.

In the Old Testament, the temple in Jerusalem held a unique place among them all. It was the place where God promised to dwell among His people. The temple was holy, not because of its architecture, but because of God’s presence.

When Paul writes to the Corinthians, he says something astonishing:

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?”

For Christians who have heard these words many times, it is easy to miss how remarkable they are.

God’s presence is no longer centered in a building in Jerusalem. Through Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, God dwells with His people. Paul is not speaking merely about God’s awareness of you or His ability to be present everywhere. He is speaking about the Spirit’s personal presence within believers. Think about it. You don’t have to go to a particular buildering to be in the presence of God. He’s in you.

That changes how we view ourselves.

Many people live with one of two errors. Some become overly impressed with themselves, treating their bodies as objects of pride and self-glorification. Others move in the opposite direction and begin to view themselves as insignificant, unworthy, or without value.

Paul points us away from both extremes.

Your worth is not determined by your appearance, your abilities, your age, your health, or the opinions of others.

“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”

Your value is found in the fact that Christ gave Himself for you.

The cross reveals how seriously God takes your salvation. Jesus did not shed His blood for something worthless. He purchased you at great cost and made you His own.

That truth also shapes how we live. Paul’s concern in this chapter involves how Christians use their bodies. Since our bodies belong to the Lord, our lives are not detached from our faith. What we do, where we go, how we speak, and how we treat others all matter to God.

When I was in high school, I worked in the Disney Store. We had a certain dress code and we were required to be clean shaven. I remember one time I came into work and had forgotten to shave. The manager made a comment. I casually said, “Oh, sorry, I forgot to shave, today.” To me this seemed unimportant until he responded, “They sell razors at the 7/11 on the corner.” In a sense, for the few hours I worked in the store each day, my body was not my own. They only paid me a few dollars and hour.

How much more does my body belong to Christ who paid for me with His life?

So, my appearance matters. How I treat my body matters. What I do with my body matters.

Yet the foundation is not about making us worthy. The foundation is redemption.

Before Paul calls Christians to honor God with their bodies, he reminds them that they have already been purchased by Christ.

The Christian life always begins there.

• You belong to Jesus.
• The Holy Spirit dwells within you.
• And your life has become a place where God Himself is present.

You…and your body…have great value.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for redeeming me through the blood of Your Son and making me Your own. Help me to remember that my worth is not found in what I accomplish or how others see me, but in the price Christ paid for me.

I pray that I would honor You with my body and my life, not out of fear or obligation, but out of gratitude for Your grace. Remind me each day that Your Holy Spirit dwells within me and that I belong to You.

Through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.