Being in Shape is a Spiritual Discipline
Keeping your body in shape is a spiritual discipline. It's not just about losing a few pounds, wanting to live longer, or trying to look nicer. God created your body, Jesus died for it, the Holy Spirit lives in it, your body is connected to Christ, and it's going to be resurrected one day. God's going to hold you accountable for how you managed what he gave you. My body is connected to the body of Christ -- "Don't you know that your bodies are a part of Christ's body?? So should I take a part of Christ's body and make it part of a prostitute? Absolutely not!" (1 Corinthians 6:15 HCSB) God considers sins against the body to be in a special class because your body is connected to the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in my body - "Don't you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you ." (1 Corinthians 6:19 HCSB) Your body is God's temple. Would you ever consider vandalizing a temple? When you don't take care of your body, you are vandalizing God's temple. Jesus bought my body on the cross - "You were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:20 HCSB) If you want to know how much you're worth, look at the cross. Jesus with his hands outstretched says, "This is how much you're worth to me. You're worth dying for." You are infinitely valuable.