Devotedness to God encompasses the entirety of a believer's life, including the physical body. Scripture emphasizes that our bodies are not merely vessels for earthly existence but are integral to our spiritual worship and service to God. This entry explores the biblical basis for dedicating our bodies to God and the implications of such devotion.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, provides a foundational text for understanding the role of the body in spiritual devotion: "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship" (Romans 12:1). This passage underscores the concept of offering our bodies as "living sacrifices," indicating that our physical existence is to be consecrated to God as an act of worship.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul reminds believers of the sanctity of their bodies: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body" . Here, the body is described as a temple, a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit, reinforcing the idea that our physical being is sacred and should be used to honor God.

Practical Implications

The call to devotedness with our bodies has practical implications for how believers live their daily lives. It involves a commitment to purity, health, and the avoidance of sin that defiles the body. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, Paul instructs, "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor" . This directive highlights the importance of self-control and purity as expressions of bodily devotion to God.

Moreover, the use of our bodies in service to others is a tangible expression of our devotion to God. Acts of kindness, service, and charity are ways in which believers can use their physical strength and abilities to glorify God and serve His purposes. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus speaks of serving others as serving Him, illustrating that our bodily actions have spiritual significance.

The Body as an Instrument of Righteousness

In Romans 6:13, Paul exhorts believers, "Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness" . This passage calls for a conscious decision to use our bodies as instruments for God's righteous purposes rather than for sinful activities.

Conclusion

While a conclusion is not provided, the biblical call to devotedness with our bodies is clear. Believers are encouraged to view their physical existence as an integral part of their spiritual life, using their bodies to honor God, maintain purity, and serve others. This holistic approach to devotion reflects the comprehensive nature of worship that God desires from His people.Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 6:20
For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Vanity and Crimes, Impious Superstitions, and of the ...
... increase (as they do increase daily), theirs should be deserted ... his will, for he
is unserviceable to God who is destitute of faith and devotedness; and yet ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xx of the vanity and.htm

Christian Devotedness, Etc.
... was owing to an enlarged view of devotedness to God on ... all our hearts into the love
of God, and patient waiting for Christ, that if we should be alive ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/christian devotedness etc.htm

Of the Justice and Patience of the Christians.
... 1071] it was His will that they should be oppressed ... soldiers, that He may either
prove the devotedness and fidelity ... hand of man, but to the living God, who is ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiii of the justice and.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... such an exercise, should possess a devotedness such as ... flesh, but the whole visible
church of God, are instructed how at once they should vow and ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

The Father Seen in Christ.
... to them in His person, gave their devotedness an impulse which ... God and man, as the
representative of God and the ... Were it otherwise, we should be left without a ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/x the father seen in.htm

The Lord is Risen Indeed
... that men who speak so honourably of God, who inculcate upon ... their fellow-creatures
such an entire devotedness to His will and service, should be impostors ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xl the lord is.htm

the Use of Humiliation
... and what is a damnable state, but a devotedness to carnal self and a ... away that which
you have not; but methinks all that you have should be devoted to God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 - the use.htm

Copies of Imperial Laws.
... Providence has freely entrusted to my devotedness, and in ... May the Almighty God preserve
thee in health ... was inevitable that that difference should make itself ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter v copies of imperial laws.htm

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in ...
... there is a consciousness of an undissembled love to God, an unreserved devotedness
to his ... and acts here, though it is impossible he should remember anything ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse vii of the necessity.htm

Preface
... should thereby be stirred up to truer devotedness to Him ... the Holy Ghost with these
sheep of God, who were ... It should not surprise us that the Lord condescended ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/preface.htm

What does it mean to be devout? | GotQuestions.org

Devotedness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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