CELEBRATING SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: KEEPING FIT AND HEALTHY- GOD'S WAY

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Celebrating Spiritual and Physical Fitness
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:31, NIV).


Keeping Fit and Healthy—God’s Way
Lionel See Yun Song, Republic of Singapore
Sabbath Introduction
1 John 5:2, 3

Over the last decade, the world has seen many new diseases and health threats. Researchers have been put to the test to come up with solutions to these challenges, and while it might seem like they are making headway, we have to ask ourselves if we really have been experiencing an improvement in our lifestyle. Has all that increase in knowledge truly made us healthier?

Some of the fattest Americans are also dedicated Christians.

After realizing that some of the fattest Americans are also dedicated Christians, Dr. Don Colbert wrote two books: What Would Jesus Eat? and The What Would Jesus Eat Cookbook. Dr. Colbert believes patients may be willing to listen to what Jesus may have done even if they ignore their doctors’ advice about healthful eating.1 He recommends a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet that is rich in whole grains, vegetables, and olive oil, but that leaves out foods such as pork and shellfish, both which contain fatty acid.

According to Dr. Colbert, if individuals eat according to the Bible and pursue a balanced life, they can prevent and maybe even reverse some diseases. However, this is not new. Already, established institutions, such as the Penang Adventist Hospital and many other Adventist health institutions, have relied on biblical principles to reverse diabetes.2

In the November 2005 issue of National Geographic, Dan Buettner wrote an article on longevity, backed with statistics from research funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. This research shows that the average Adventist in the state of California lives four to ten years longer than Californians who are not Adventists. These extra years are attributed to a low-fat vegetarian diet rich in nuts and beans and the absence of such habits as smoking and drinking alcohol.

First John 5:2, 3 says, “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” (NIV).

With medical doctors such as Dr. Colbert turning to the Bible for health solutions, let us take a deeper look this week at some biblical principles to learn about how God wants us to take care of our bodies.
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1. “Bible Inspires Florida Doctor’s ‘Jesus Diet,’ ” http://www.clickorlando.com/health/3952449/detail
.html (accessed March 6, 2009).
2. “Diabetic Reversal Program,” http://www.pah.com.my/services/diabetic_education_centre/diabetic
_reversal_program.asp (accessed March 6, 2009).



Celebrating Spiritual and Physical Fitness
Nathaniel Tan, Republic of Singapore
Sunday Logos
Ps. 139:13–16; Luke 15:4–24; John 15:10, 11; 1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 9:24–27
Eph. 2:8–10; 2 Tim. 2:3–5; 4:7 Heb. 11:6

Designed From the Inside Out (Ps. 139:13–16)
The psalmist points out that we are designed and created. We aren’t a by-product of nature taking its course; we were not put together by accident. In Psalm 139, he praises God, thanking Him for purposefully creating him. The psalmist reveals a unique awareness of God’s grace and purpose for him in the description of how he feels about having been “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

All talk and no action do not lead to fitness.

Physical-Spiritual Vessels (1 Cor. 3:16; 9:24–27)
Being a Christian means that your life is no longer yours to live. Rather, it is Christ’s (Gal. 2:20). Your body is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, a “temple” of God.

Both collectively and individually, Christians are “temples” of God. The church, as a congregation of believers, forms the “body” of Christ (Rom. 12:5), and individual Christians who accept Jesus as their Savior are spiritual temples of God because the Holy Spirit lives in them. These temples then become a part of God’s property. They are holy because God is there. Paul warns those who would dare trample on “holy property,” saying they will be dealt with accordingly.

God cannot allow any part of His holy work to be damaged without bringing about retribution. This warning goes out to those who would dare think about dealing harshly with God’s people and to God’s people themselves. As vessels for the Holy Spirit, we need to keep ourselves spiritually and physically fit in order to maintain the presence of God within us.

Both spiritual and physical fitness is all about Christian self-discipline. Paul employs the example of the Corinthian games, which were similar to the Olympics, to illustrate how important self-discipline is. As Christians, we must do our part to keep physically and spiritually fit. This way, we reach the ultimate “prize” as Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27. Athletes train themselves with rigorous routines and special diets that help them to perform their best. Here, Paul uses athletes as an illustration to emphasize the need for self-discipline in the Christian faith. All talk and no action do not lead to fitness.

It’s Still All Grace, Not Works (Eph. 2:8−10)
Though we employ Christian self-discipline to keep us on track, the prize really is a gift from God. But self-discipline alone gets us nowhere either. A genuine love for our Creator who purposely formed us helps us to ignore things that distract us from the prize—eternity with God.

“The grace that saves is the free, undeserved goodness and favour of God; and he saves, not by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus. Grace in the soul is a new life in the soul. A regenerated sinner becomes a living soul; he lives a life of holiness, being born of God: he lives, being delivered from the guilt of sin, by pardoning and justifying grace. . . . Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not of works, lest any man should boast. These things are not brought to pass by any thing done by us, therefore all boasting is shut out. All is the free gift of God, and the effect of being quickened by his power. It was his purpose, to which he prepared us, by blessing us with the knowledge of his will, and his Holy Spirit producing such a change in us, that we should glorify God by our good conversation, and perseverance in holiness. None can from Scripture abuse this doctrine, or accuse it of any tendency to evil. All who do so, are without excuse.”1

Completing the Race in Faith (2 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 11:6)
Without faith in God, we cannot complete the race. Paul stresses that because he has kept the faith and he has run the race, that the prize awaits him and all who have also run the race. Physically and spiritually speaking, Paul acknowledges that he was created for the sole purpose of running the race in which his faith and physical being had been tested. By faith, he ran the race and denied himself. By faith, he completed the race and claimed the prize.

Review Hebrews 11:6. “To come to God has two presuppositions here: (1) The person must believe that there is a God and then (2) believe that God rewards those who sincerely seek him. Believing that God exists is only the beginning; even the demons believe in God’s existence (James 2:19-20). God will not settle for mere acknowledgment of his existence. He wants a personal, dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life.”2

REACT
1. How have you personally experienced the life of faith as it compares to running a race or some other physical endeavor?
2. When we do not exercise physically, our muscles become weak. Likewise, when we do not exercise our faith in God, it becomes weak. How does one exercise faith? How often are you exercising your faith?
3. Physical exercise and a good diet are important. However, in themselves, they do not give us eternal life. Only faith in Jesus can give us that. Why is it important to understand this distinction?
4. Why is it not enough to believe in our church’s 28 fundamental beliefs?
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1. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, comment on Ephesians 2:1–10, WORDsearch 7.
2. Life Application New Testament Commentary, comment on Hebrews 11:6, WORD search 7.
Nathaniel Tan, Republic of Singapore



Strong Minds Need Strong Bodies
Faith Toh, Republic of Singapore
Monday Testimony
1 Cor. 3:16, 17


“Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them.”1

“We have unseen enemies to meet.”

“We can not be too often reminded that health does not depend on chance. It is a result of obedience to law. This is recognized by the contestants in athletic games and trials of strength. These men make the most careful preparation. They submit to thorough training and strict discipline. Every physical habit is carefully regulated. They know that neglect, excess, or carelessness, which weakens or cripples any organ or function of the body, would insure defeat.

“How much more important is such carefulness to insure success in the conflict of life. It is not mimic battles in which we are engaged. We are waging a warfare upon which hang eternal results. We have unseen enemies to meet. Evil angels are striving for the dominion of every human being. Whatever injures the health, not only lessens physical vigor, but tends to weaken the mental and moral powers. Indulgence in any unhealthful practise makes it more difficult for one to discriminate between right and wrong, and hence more difficult to resist evil. It increases the danger of failure and defeat.”2

“The whole body is designed for action; and unless the physical powers are kept in health by active exercise, the mental powers cannot long be used to their highest capacity.” 3

“Anything that lessens physical strength enfeebles the mind and makes it less capable of discriminating between right and wrong. We become less capable of choosing the good and have less strength of will to do that which we know to be right.”4

“You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God’s temple, you can be sure of that. God’s temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple” (1 Cor. 3:16, 17, The Message).
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1. The Ministry of Healing, p. 127.
2. Ibid., p. 128.
3. Education, p. 207.
4. Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 346.



Science Proves God’s Health Laws
Choo Shi En Christon, Republic of Singapore
Tuesday Evidence
Lev. 11:45

Leviticus is a book many people view as irrelevant to modern society. However, as we explore the biblical reasons for spiritual and physical fitness, we soon discover that Leviticus is not as out-of-date as we might think. In fact, it might be more relevant than we could ever imagine.

When it comes to healthful living, the Bible truly was centuries ahead of its time.

Leviticus is one of the five books of Moses. It is written primarily as a book of the law, with little history in it. It was part of the Mosaic covenant that God had with Israel, a covenant stating that God would care for the Israelites as long as they followed His laws. Many parts of Leviticus deal with the behavior of the priests during Moses’ time. However, there are many parts which are still practical to us today.

In Leviticus 11, God talks about clean and unclean foods. In the early Christian church, much of this was deemed as irrelevant and unimportant. However, more and more, science is making discoveries that prove that God’s laws are really beneficial. Leviticus 11:7, 8, says that the pig is not to be eaten. Today, the World Health Organization has strict guidelines on the export of pork, as it has a very high risk of diseases. Other meats forbidden by Leviticus, such as shellfish and other seafood, have also been found to carry a variety of diseases.

When it comes to healthful living, the Bible truly was centuries ahead of its time. Long before scientists understood the health benefits of a biblical diet, God already had instructed His people to eat and live right. In Leviticus 11:45, God calls us to be holy, because He is holy. This includes what we eat, what we drink, and what we do. God gives us such laws so that we will be happy. He gives us instructions on how to live right, so that our bodies will be healthy. We are better able to enjoy life when we live by His rules.

REACT
1. What are some foods, based on biblical principals in Leviticus 11, that we should refrain from consuming?
2. How can we change our diet to better obey God’s principles of eating?



Be a Strong Branch!
Jimmy Quek, Republic of Singapore
Wednesday
John 15:5

Many scientists believe that there is a correlation between our spiritual health and our physical health. Studies have shown that cancer patients are able to fight the disease better when they have a spiritual belief.*

Jesus wants us to be a blessing to the people around us.

Miracles of complete healing of terminal patients baffled doctors when earlier they had told families members to prepare for the worst.

Often our stress and depression in life stem from the fact that we have drifted further and further away from God. Conversely, when we do not take care of our bodies, we find that we become poor ambassadors for Him. Not only do we not have the energy needed to work efficiently, but we become ineffective examples of the abundant life He offers (John 10:10).

Jesus said that He is the Vine and we are the branches. So we need to stay connected to Him as our source of strength. We need to be physically ready to do His bidding, to go where He leads, to show clearly that being a Christian is a more healthful way of life. So how can we be strong branches?

Commune with Jesus daily. He invites us to seek His wisdom, meditate on His Word, and rely on His strength. In return, He promises to give us everything we need (1 Chron. 28:9; Matt. 6:33).

Run with perseverance. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb. 12:1, NIV). To do that, we need to be physically, spiritually, and mentally fit. We are to exercise our faith muscles in order to withstand the trials that will come our way. While our training may be painful and less than pleasant, it will produce “a harvest of righteousness and peace” (Heb. 12:11, NIV).

Be a light. Jesus is the Light of the world, and He wants us to bring His light to everyone around us. As we stay connected to the Vine, we are also called to bear fruit. Jesus wants us to be a blessing to the people around us. He wants us to bring light and encouragement to people who have lost hope and peace to those who are afraid. Our vertical connection with God enables Him to connect us horizontally to our communities. The joy of partnership with Him brings forth a healthy glow both spiritually and physically (John 8:12; 15:2).
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*“Researchers Look at Prayer and Healing,” http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/ 2006/03/23/AR2006032302177.html (accessed March 6, 2009).



Getting Our Priorities Right
Jonathan Gerber, Republic of Singapore
Thursday Opinion
1 Tim. 4:8

I have a friend who is a fruitarian. According to him, eating anything other than fruit is highly detrimental to your health. If he sees us eating anything else, he will scold us and give us a lecture on healthful eating and preserving our bodies for God’s work. My friend is also a Seventh-day Adventist.

How do we define ourselves?

Another friend of mine is so conscientious about getting enough exercise that she walks her dog for an hour every day. She is slim and fit. She is also a strict vegetarian who does not eat or use spices in her cooking because Ellen White cautioned against it.* She also is quick to correct and inform others in her presence who do not eschew what she considers to be unspiritual health habits.

A quick glance at their diet and fitness habits reveal that these two friends believe that following certain strict health practices are part of their obedience to Christ. However, is that all there is to our relationship with Him? How do we define ourselves? As zealots who go around scolding other people and making them feel judged and ostracized because they choose to eat a turkey sandwich?

Godly believers are known by their fruit—the fruit of the Spirit. This phrase is a biblical term that sums up nine visible attributes of a thriving Christian life. Using the King James Version of Galatians 5:22, 23, these attributes are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. We learn from Scripture that these are not individual fruit from which we can pick and choose. Rather, they form one fruit with nine facets that characterize all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the characteristics that all Christians should be producing in their lives with the help of the Holy Spirit.

First Timothy 4:8 informs us, “Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (NIV). Notice that this verse does not say that exercise has no value! It says that exercise is valuable, but it sets priorities right by saying that godliness is of greater value.

REACT
1. Are you shunning healthful habits because they are espoused by people who turn you off by being overzealous?
2. How can you promote a healthful lifestyle without coming across as overbearing and self-righteous?
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*The Ministry of Healing, pp. 305, 325; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 67.



Living as Temples
Chandler Riley, Laurel, Maryland, U.S.A.?
Friday Exploration
1 Cor. 6:19, 20

CONCLUDE
God is our Creator and has made our bodies to be temples for His Holy Spirit. By grace, as an unearned gift, we are given the Holy Spirit, who leads us to greater and greater physical and spiritual health. We’ve also been given the Bible, which the Spirit uses to guide us in caring for our physical and spiritual well-being. By following biblical guidelines, we can live longer, healthier, happier lives. By not taking care of our bodies, we can weaken ourselves physically and spiritually. A life of health involves both our physical and spiritual well-being.

CONSIDER
•Drawing or painting your idea of what “good health” is.
•Writing your personal viewpoint about the effects of good health habits on your spirituality.
•Writing a poem or song about your life and body being a temple for God.
•Discussing with a group the effects of health on spirituality. Share examples of how you’ve seen this in your own life.
•Walking for 30 minutes at least once every day this week. Do you feel more relaxed? Sleep better? Look forward to these 30 minutes now?
•Asking God to lead you to better physical and spiritual health, and by His Holy Spirit, to show you areas that could use improvement.

CONNECT
Counsels on Diet and Foods, chapter 2.
Nellie Jones, “Religion and Health,” Vibrant Life, http://www.vibrantlife
.com/vl/article-81.html (accessed April 2, 2009); Dr. Robert E. Baines Jr. and Daphene Baines, “Do You Really Understand That Your Body Is The Temple Of God?” http://www.christian-living-site.com/Temple-of-God.html (accessed April 2, 2009).

http://www.cqbiblestudy.org/site/1/lessons/2010-2/English/STUDENT/CQ-10-Q2-03.pdf