Body And Spirit Together

     "Glorify God in your body and in your spirit because they belong to Him".  This reference from the New Testament (1 Corinthians 6:20) finds its beginning at the beginning of the Bible.  It is the root of God's plan for us at our creation. 

     The simple declaration in Genesis 2:7 tells us that God formed us from the earth He had created, then breathed into us His life giving spirit, and we became a living being.  The parts that make us who we are came from Him.  He was intimately involved and continues to sustain everything that He created.  We were not created and then tossed out into the void to "sink or swim" while He went somewhere else.  He did not "plant a seed" and then ignore it while it grew on its own.   The simple statement shows that we are part of Him.  His plan for us is that we will reflect His likeness -- "let Us make man in Our image, a reflection of Us".  (Genesis 1:26-27)

     Because of how we were created, our physical and spiritual natures are really one.  While we think of them as separate, they are so intertwined that what affects one immediately affects the other.  Right after our creation, and assigning us work, God gives instruction for our diet. (Gen. 1:29)  In chapter 2, right after further details of our creation in verse 7, we are instructed as to the trees that were for food and the tree who's fruit was not for food.  That one was a test of our gratitude and loyalty to our Creator.  The physical act of eating would have an instant effect on our spiritual relationship with God.

     When God delivered the Hebrew nation from Egypt, they had been slaves.  Slavery causes degeneration in mind, spirit, and body.  In order to begin their restoration so they would be able to fill their responsibility as His representatives, God began by reforming their diet.  By providing them with fresh water to drink, and heavenly food to eat,  God proposed to prepare them to come into close union with Himself. This would elevate their degenerate natures, enable them to understand His will and enter into His plans for being a blessing to the whole world. 

     Sadly, the record says they rebelled against God's diet, and as a result their souls never developed as God intended.  (Psalm 106:13-16)  Now the question is:  Will you accept God's plan?  Will I agree to His plan for me?  The conditions are the same.  The result will be what God originally promised.  Decide today.