You Are Not Your Body

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV.

We will come back to that Scripture soon.

In reading the book of Acts, I noted the occasions when the Apostle Paul had plots against him, and he was in danger of his life.  There’s seven occasions, starting at Acts 9, and through to Acts 25.

God delivered him out of them all.  God was watching over him and protected him on many occasions.

But God wasn’t just delivering him from personal danger, He was protecting the message hidden in Paul, the revelation he was yet to write which would be an eternal legacy.

It got me thinking – what happens to us physically is significant, but what is going on in us spiritually is far more significant, in terms of the legacy we carry within us, the spiritual deposit, the truth we have, the understanding, the gifts we have to be used for the good of people; these things which will form our ministry are what the Lord wants to protect and will do so.

Then I thought about Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthian Christians, our text for this Brief Word.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV.

Here’s the thing.

My body is not the real me.  My health history and current state is not me.  The aches and pains I feel are not me.  I am not my body.  It is the house for the presence of the Lord, and it is a place where I live as well, for the moment.  The real me is far different to what you see, and what I feel and the limitations of my flesh.

The real me is a son of God; a new creation, righteous, forgiven, justified, redeemed, set free, united with Christ, seated in heavenly places; the real me is full of the Holy Spirit, the real me is eternal, strong, healthy, visionary, energy, creative, getting stronger and better every day.  I am redeemed, righteous, renewed, revived, refreshed, and resourced every day – in my inner man!  With His redemption, His righteousness, renewing, reviving, and His refreshing.

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV.

The real me is eternal, this body is temporary.  The real me is incredibly strong and resilient, this body is weak and deteriorating.  The real me is filled with faith and joy, this body is filled with its impending end.  The real me has an influence on my body for sure.  The body is better when the spirit is better.  But the body is not the spirit, and can never be.  The body does not or should not control the spirit.  But too often it does.  Especially when we are asked how we are, and we reply usually according to how our body is.

Let’s not confuse these two parts of who we are.  When people ask me how I am, I usually say I’m outstanding.  Because I am!  The real me truly is.  But my body; shall we say, it’s not so good.  Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other things; and I’m not as young as I used to be.  But who wants to hear stuff like that, about something that is failing, weak and temporary?  Much rather would we like to hear of things functioning, strong and eternal.

You are not your body.  The real you is inside your body, a much more sophisticated complex, much better looking, better functioning, stronger, confident person.  That’s who you are.

Miracles in the body are wonderful (and we need to believe for them and minister in the power of God to one another bringing physical miracles; God has promised to do so), but they are temporary.  Miracles in the spirit are far more wonderful because they are eternal.

This is very important.  Physical miracles and healings are to get the body working properly again, but also they’re for the good of the message within us.  It is to protect that deposit of God, that destiny He has for us.

So let’s live out of who we really are, out of the spirit.  Let’s be careful and look after our body properly, but let’s give more attention to the inner man.  Because it’s the inner man that is the real me.

So when this body finally finishes its journey here on earth, the real me will at last be free to go and be with God forever!  After the resurrection I will have a new body, which will be perfect in every way.  No longer weak, failing, with aches and pains, bits missing, and temporary, but glorious, perfect, everything working properly, and eternal.  What a wonderful day that will be.  Thank You Lord!

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.  Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV.

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19 NKJV.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 NKJV.

My friend, God does want to touch, strengthen and heal your body.  A major reason for that is to protect the message and ministry you carry.

There’s strengthening available for your spirit, your soul and your body.

Your body is not the real you.  Who you are is inside you.  It’s much better.

You’re outstanding!

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