How important is your physical body? Apostle Paul stated,“…your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own” (I Corinthians 6:19b). That’s powerful, but in speaking to the Ephesians he made another statement that is even more incredible, “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Ephesians 5:30). Every born again believer is the temple of the Holy Ghost; but, we are also “flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone.” You cannot interpret the words to the Ephesian Christians in any other fashion. Being members of His flesh and bones mean that we are His extension and representative in our world or should I say, “His world.”
In writing to the Corinthians Paul enlarged on His dependency of us as His ambassadors in the world. In five verses he described us by several fantastic names or statements. We are “new creatures” and have the “ministry of reconciliation.” He hath committed to us “the word of reconciliation,” we are ambassadors for Christ, and we pray in Christ’s stead for others to be reconciled to God. We have been made “the righteousness of God in Him.”Read it for yourself, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Corinthians 5:17-21).
We are not junk. When our Creator designed us, He breathed into our nostrils the breath (spirit) of life so that we became a living soul, He then stated, “And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31a). The phrase, “living soul,” is an incredible description of the human personality. It carries the meaning of health, prosperity, vitality, and life as given by God. It is clearly the opposite of death, disease, and destruction. The only hindrance to this great life is the principle of sin and Jesus came to destroy the works of that principle and its originator, Satan. (I John 3:8)
The Psalmist stated, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 139:14). We are a tremendous creation. God created us as His family. Our bodies are uniquely designed and have the capacity to possess the very Spirit of God. We are indeed “…of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). He, also, stated, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30). You are important to the Lord!
And the Word (Jesus) Was Made Flesh
Nothing Jesus said or did can emphasize the importance of human flesh and bones more than the fact that He partook of the same. God, the Son, actually left the glory of the Father to descend into the human family and become a servant for redemption. My soul always flashes with excitement when I read, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (St. John 1:14).
The Divine Son, Who became human flesh, literally fills the Book of Hebrews. Paul stated, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). You cannot show your love for anything more than to descend into that state. He came for one reason and He stated it as the following, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and break it, and gave unto them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you’” (St. Luke 22:19). Jesus chose a human body by which to minister and redeem mankind.
Our sanctification is accomplished by His body. The Holy Scripture teaches that “without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Paul quoted Jesus as saying, “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God,” and added, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:9-10). He had to come in a body. Now, He needs your body to continue His works.
He Bought Your Body
Redemption is not head knowledge, but a heart transplant. We actually become new creatures and give up all rights to ourselves. We become His flesh, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (I Corinthians 6:20). This may sound restricting to selfish and self-centered people; but, to the child of God it’s our liberty. Because we are “flesh of His flesh,” our body becomes of intrinsic value. This is the basis for true Biblical teaching in divine healing. If we are“flesh of His flesh,” we then partake of all His life and sit together with Him in Heavenly places.
The Holy Spirit that anointed Jesus has now been given to anoint us. Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, but He was never overcome with disease. His very presence was so full of life that sickness, torment, vexation, and demons fled as He approached or spoke. Now, we are told by Apostle Paul, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Our security is in our submission. If we are in control we must use human methods to protect or heal ourselves. If He is in control, He protects and heals. There is no divine healing for ourselves — as we minister Jesus to others — until we are “flesh of His flesh.”
He saved you for Himself. He delivers you from sin so that He has another body for His Holy Ghost to dwell. He now fills you with His Holy Ghost that your body may be His place of revelation. He wants to reveal Himself to your family, neighbors, working friends, and everyone you meet. You are His ambassador. The Holy Book says, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13).
He wants His body healed, healthy, and victorious. It is easy to understand that we are “flesh of His flesh.” When He sent out the seventy, they returned rejoicing that the devils were subject unto them. Jesus then said, “…I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:18-20).
Notice these words, “Nothing shall by any means hurt you.”But, sir, you say, I know of this person and that person who died with cancer, or was killed in a car wreck, or fell dead of a heart attack. Don’t judge God’s promises by the experiences you witnessed or the doubts that fill our churches. There have been so many extremes in the religious world that we have forgotten the promises of Jesus Christ.
Let’s find the center of God’s Word and live right there. The Holy Ghost said, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (I Peter 2:24).
That settles it. “By whose stripes ye were (past tense) healed.” It is finished, done, accomplished, and doesn’t need anything but your embrace of faith. As a child of God ye are “flesh of His flesh” and He wants you witnessing to your world of His sufficiency in all things. By the Spirit the Psalmist said, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Psalm 103:1-3).
Joseph Chambers