3 John 1:2 - Peace in Body, Mind and Spirit.
3 John 1:2 (NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you
may prosper in all things and be in health, just
as your soul prospers.
INTRODUCTION
John was concerned for Gaius's physical and
spiritual well-being. This was the opposite of the
popular heresy that taught the separation of spirit
and matter and despised the physical side of
life. Today, many people still fall into this way
of thinking. This non-Christian attitude
logically leads to one of two responses: neglect of
the body and physical health, or indulgence of
the body's sinful desires. God is concerned for
both your body and your soul. As a responsible
Christian, you should neither neglect nor indulge
yourself but care for your physical needs and
discipline your body so that you are at your best for
God's service. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
There are physical benefits that accrue
from Christian living. Sin and the sense of inner
unworthiness impair physical and mental well-being. The
sense of guilt and sin that natural man carries
within himself renders him unfit for the
performance of his duties, renders him sick in both mind
and body. It was no accident that Jesus combined
healing with His preaching and teaching when He was
on earth. There is a very real relationship
between the life of the spirit and the health of the
body and mind.
Peace with God and the peace of God in a
man's heart and the joy of fellowship with Christ
have in themselves a beneficial effect upon the
body and mind and will lead to the development
and preservation of physical and mental power.
Thus, Christ promotes the best interest of the
body and mind as well as of the spirit, in
addition to inward peace, the development of
spiritual life, the joy and fellowship with Christ,
and the new strength that comes with being born
again.
Do you feel the peace of well-being that
only comes from the Lord? [Peace for Each Day by
Billy Graham]
COMMENTARY
The right use of ones self is the most
valuable lesson that can be learned. We are not to do
brain work, and stop there, or make physical
exertion, and stop there; we are to make the best use
of the various parts that compose the human
machinery,"brain, bone, muscle, head, and heart.
The right use of ones self includes
the whole circle of obligations to ones self,
to the world, and to God. Then use the physical
powers proportionately with the mental powers.
Every action derives its quality from the motive
which prompts it, and if the motives are not high,
and pure, and unselfish, the mind and character
will never become well balanced.
You are the Lords; for He created you.
You are His by redemption; for He gave His life
for you. Preserve every portion of the living
machinery, that you may use it for God. Preserve it for
Him. Your health depends upon the right use of
your physical organism. Do not misuse any portion
of your God-given powers, physical, mental, or
moral. All your habits are to be brought under the
control of a mind that is itself under the control
of God. SD171
CLOSING THOUGHT
The Saviour in His miracles revealed the
power that is continually at work in mans
behalf, to sustain and to heal him. Sickness,
suffering, and death are work of an antagonistic power.
Satan is the destroyer; God is the restorer.
MH112, 113
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
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