In the hustle and bustle of our lives, it is easy to get lost in pursuing material possessions and distractions. During this time of year, we are completely inundated with advertisements about how any number of products will help us organize better, eat healthier, manage our finances, or help us get in shape. However, as we embark on this new year, we must reflect on life’s deeper meaning and purpose. Paul’s message to the Corinthian church explores the idea that true fulfillment comes from prioritizing worship, honoring our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, and resisting sinful cravings.

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 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, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (ESV)

The constant barrage of distractions, whether it be media consumption from social media to news sites or filling our lives with meaningless drivel, consumes our precious time. Amid this clutter, we must recognize that our purpose goes beyond consumption or accumulating material things. We are called to worship and praise God with every fiber of our being – heart, mind, strength, and soul. New Year resolutions, though common, do not define our true essence; instead, we should focus on cultivating a profound connection with the divine. God designed our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, urging us to treat them with utmost respect and care. The freedom bestowed upon us by Jesus does not grant us the license to indulge in whatever we desire. Rather, it calls for a conscientious effort to honor our bodies and glorify God through them. “All things being lawful” has been abused by Christians throughout human history to engage in behavior that is not worthy of Christ’s sacrifice.

Freedom from sin, as granted by Jesus, does not imply a carte blanche to act without consequences. Accepting Christ entails understanding the repercussions of sin and making choices that align with our values and priorities. Indulging in immediate gratification may bring momentary pleasure, but the long-term consequences must be considered. Freedom from eternal consequence does not free us from the destructive consequence of our banal indulgence. Therefore, our bodies should regularly practice self-control and a steadfast commitment to resist cravings that do not contribute to our well-being, community, or the kingdom of God. 

Sin is inherently selfish, disrupting our community and breaking from our dedication to God’s kingdom. As Paul articulated, the call for each of us to exercise self-control and resist cravings will teach us how we can build up communal bonds. The church, in particular, is entrusted with the responsibility of being more than an institution; it is a vessel through which God’s love, peace, and hope should be manifested. By building genuine relationships and setting aside sinful cravings, the church becomes an instrument of hope and peace in a world yearning for authenticity.

Living a fulfilling and purposeful life requires a conscious effort to prioritize worship, honor our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, and resist sinful cravings. As we navigate the complexities of the new year, let us remember that true fulfillment is found in our connection with the divine and our commitment to reflecting God’s love, peace, and hope through our actions and relationships.

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Published by JRMITCH85

I am often asked what describes you, which is a hard answer because sometimes I move in a thousand different directions. Some call me an engineer, others call me pastor, a few call me captain, some call me friend, others call me dad, and one calls me sweetheart. All of these things are descriptors and are accurate, but they don't fully capture me. My favorite place is in the mountains, enjoying the beauty of nature and God's creation, running and hiking around with my family and friends, and taking photos to cement the memories. However, the people that know me the best know that my favorite thing to do is come up with crazy adventures that push the limits of what our minds and bodies can do. My faith in God is important to me and drives me to look at creation the way I do. Because of my faith, I look at these adventures and running races from Half Marathons all the way to 24 hour races, as well as several Obstacle Course Races, as an opportunity to push the body God gave me as an act of worship. Hopefully, someday soon, I look toward running longer races and bigger adventures. My hope is that humanity can understand that the wild is a gift, and we need to care for it and quit destroying it by the way we live.

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