Does Personal Health Reform Matter?

Daniel Goodin, MD

Midland SDA Church

May 22, 2021

DOES OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH MATTER TO GOD?

1 Corinthians 6:15,19,20 - Based on the context, Paul is discussing the sin of fornication and the negative effect on the body. He justifies his argument by stating that the bodies of converted individuals are members of Christ (v. 15). When we surrender to Christ and allow his Spirit to abide within us, our bodies become sanctified temples for the Holy Spirit. Paul urges the Corinthians to glorify God in their bodies. This means abstaining from things that are to our physical detriment and participating in those activities that are physically uplifting. Shall we then take away the members of Christ and make them members with physically detrimental activities?

Romans 12: 1,2 - Paul urges the Romans to present their bodies as living and holy sacrifices. The Jews were expressly forbidden to offer what was lame, or blind, or in anyway deformed (Deut 15:21; Lev 1:3; Lev 1:10). If offered without any of these defects, it was regarded as holy or consecrated to God. Likewise, we are to consecrate to God our best faculties; the vigor of our minds, and talents, and time. Our bodies are to be living sacrifices surrendered to God. We are demonstrate in our lives and bodies "that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - God desires to sanctify us entirely! Our spirit and soul and body are to be preserved complete and blameless. Our spirit (G4151-pneuma-"pnyoo'-mah") refers figuratively to the mental disposition or higher reasoning (Matt 5:3; Mark 14:38; Luke 1:17).  Soul (G5590-psuche-"psoo-khay'") refers to life or individual existence (Matt 10:28; Matt 16:26; Acts 2:27). Peter says that we purify our souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit (1 Peter 1:22). Body (G4983-soma-"so'-mah") refers to our physical body. How can Christ sanctify our bodies if we continue to indulge in physically detrimental habits? The transformation of our spirit, soul, and body starts now.

WHY DOES PHYSICAL HEALTH MATTER?

Ephesians 2:1-3 - Intemperance in our actions involves indulging in the lusts of the flesh and walking according to the course of this world. This is the position of the Ephesians prior to knowing Christ and being transformed by his saving grace. Those actions describe the actions of the Ephesians before knowing Christ, not after. Our actions have a direct impact on our ability to be renewed. As the Holy Spirit convicts the mind, we either choose to surrender our will to God or we directly oppose the work of the Spirit and set ourselves on a dangerous course.

INTEMPERENCE DEFINITION: lack of moderation or restraint; excessive indulgence

Matthew 4:23-25 - The ministry of Jesus involved teaching/preaching the gospel and also healing. Why didn't Jesus focus solely on sharing the gospel instead of spending so much time on physical healing? Spiritual healing has eternal results whereas physical healing in this world is temporary. Why would Jesus spend so much time working on the latter instead of spending more time on the former? It is because the physical healing created avenues to share the gospel that would have never been opened without it. What news about Jesus spread? It was the news of His healing which is why all the sick were brought to Him. The physical healing created opportunities for Jesus to share the gospel with people who otherwise would likely never have come to Him. He laid the groundwork for our mission as His disciples!

Matthew 9:36-10:1 -Jesus sess the spiritual longing that exists among the people and their need for a Shepherd to guide them into truth. He notes that hearts are ready to receive the message. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Just like when the Samaritans came out to Jesus after teaching the woman at the well and He told his disciples that the fields were "white for harvest," He again described the readiness of the people to receive the truth as a full harvest. The problem is the lack of workers. What was Jesus' next step? Did he give them instruction in how to share the gospel? No. The very next verse says that He gave his disciples authority of unclean spirits and power to heal "every kind of disease and every kind of sickness." After that, he gives instructions regarding the preaching as well as the healing. Health evangelism opens doors for the gospel to be shared! That was Christ's method, and that should be our method as well as disciples of Christ. In order to effectively minister to the health of others, we must first practice solid health principles for ourselves.

HOW NOT TO WORK ON IMPLEMENTING PERSONAL HEALTH REFORM

Matthew 23:25,26 - God wants us to take care of our bodies, which is important for our personal walk with Christ as well as our ability to share Him with others. While personal health reform is needed, it's important to make sure it is done in the proper context. Too often, people approach God's instructions as tasks to be completed in order to appease Him rather than acts of devotion triggered by love for Him. Adherence to instructions without being motivated by love leads to empty formalism. This was the problem with Israel when they offered sacrifices to God. He wasn't pleased by the sacrifices because He desired personal relationships and personal cleansing which would have led them to obey his precepts based on their love for Him. Personal health reform isn't a box to check off on the list of requirements from God. That idea is based on a faulty image of God. God has given us health principles out of His love for us. He wants what's best for us. We adhere to them because we love Him and trust that He has our best interests at heart, which He has proved time and time again.

HOW TO WORK ON IMPLEMENTING PERSONAL HEALTH REFORM

Galatians 5:22,23 - Most habits detrimental to health result from a lack of self-control/intemperance. Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit which includes self-control/temperance. This should be a relief for all of us who struggle with practicing health principles. The power of self-control isn't something that we have to muster in our own strength. It's a gift that comes through a close walk with Christ, allowing His Spirit to transform our hearts. As we abide in Him, we will bear fruit (John 15:4). Like everything else in Christianity, the starting point isn't a focus on outward correction. The focus is on knowing Christ, allowing His love to transform our hearts, and remaining fully surrendered to the working of His will in our lives. That's how we become changed. That's how we overcome deleterious health habits in our lives. That's how we demonstrate and share healthy habits with others, and as a result we point them to the Power behind the change.