The Body as an Offering

“Do not offer the parts of your body to sin … but rather offer yourselves to God”(Romans 6:13).

Not only are we to offer our spirit and soul as an offering to God, but we are to offer our body as well. Under the Old Covenant, the slain sacrifice was not presented as a whole; instead, the offering was cut into various pieces. These separate pieces were offered and then placed on the altar. Because we are under the New Covenant, we should present each part of our living bodies for His pleasure and glory. Then our lives will be as a fragrant aroma for God to enjoy!

Let us look at what and how we are to offer the parts of our body.

1. Eyes – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith … “(Heb. 12:2.)

2. Ears – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7).

3. Mouth – “I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue” (Psa. 66:17).

4. Arms – “He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze” (2 Sam. 22:35).

5. Hands – “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Eph. 4:28).

6. Fingers – “If you do away with … the pointing finger … then your Light will rise in the darkness …” (Isa. 58: 9-10).

7. Reproductive Parts – The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (1 Cor. 6:3).

8. Feet – “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word” (Psa. 119:101.)

Our bodies are designed to be the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We’ve been betrothed to the slain Lamb of God. Jesus paid the bridal price with His own blood. His Spirit is the assurance of our eternal union with Him, so let us bring Him glory through every member of our body. The Bible says, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

Offer your entire self to God through the words of the apostle Paul:

“Now may God, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thess. 5:23,24.)

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Listening to the Heart of Jesus, vol. 7 (Pigeon Forge, TN: First Baptist Church).

Biblical quotations from the New International Version, (Zondervan, 1984).