HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE OF A BELIEVER

In John Chapter 10.10, Jesus tells us that He came that we may have life and have it in abundance. This is wonderful news! This news involves a few things. It means that Jesus came to make life available to us. It also means that it is entirely our choice to receive or reject this life and live accordingly. What does this life consist of? I believe Jesus was talking about life in all its ramifications. Biblically, we are taught about four kinds of life for the believer.
1. Bios: This is the life of the body, covered by all the contents and processes of the physical and biological.
2. Psuche: This is the life of the soul, covered by all the contents and processes of the psychological including our minds, wills, emotions, and personalities.
3. Zoe (Life): This is life in general, characterized by vitality in all the areas mentioned above.
4. Aionios Zoe (Eternal life): This is the life of the spirit part of us. It is covered by all the contents and processes of the spirit such as the accurate knowledge of God, salvation, forgiveness, redemption, healings, supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, fruits of the Spirit, and so on.
In this article, we shall only focus on the bios or biological life as regards health and lifestyle. So many believers know that they are born again and saved in their spirits forever. However, they find it difficult to connect this salvation with the earthly processes of their health and lifestyles. Paul would be of great help to such believers. The principle behind all the behavioral verses of Paul is that action flows from an understanding of identity. Here is one example.
Colossians 3.12 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Note that you put on what you already have, according to who you already are. If you are an officer of the law, for example, you dress accordingly. Also, as grace-based, Spirit-filled believers, there is a proper way to dress, eat, drink, behave, walk, save, invest, work, talk, sleep, exercise, act, think and do all the other activities of life. Each act must be consistent with the identity and possession of the believer. For example, some believers believe that only what is in their spirits is important. But Jesus ate well, spoke graciously, managed money responsibly, slept very well, and so on. In fact, once during a terrible storm, his preferred activity was catching a much-needed nap, and when his disciples were being swarmed by needy people, he practically forced them to step aside from work to rest and eat. These things are not stated in a clear manner in the gospels probably because they were so obvious to those who walked with him. We sometimes see glimpses of the healthy lifestyles of the believers of the first century in the epistles. Here is a notable one that I love so much.
1 Timothy 4.8
For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
This is amazing! It is easy to see that people who train hard, like the great sprinter Hussain Bolt, win and excel in this life. Godliness is even better! When Christians understand that their walks with God are designed to profit them in every way, they will be the best in politics, business, sports, the arts, and every conceivable industry. They will be the cleanest, strongest, and healthiest people on earth. When you know the good news that your body is the temple of the Spirit, you will wash, scent, dress, and oil it in accordance with what you know. When you remember that your mouth releases the very power of the Highest, especially as you speak in tongues and prophesy, you will brush your teeth and use mouthwashes. When you know for a truth that you spiritually possess everywhere you step your feet on, you will invest in stylish shoes. When you understand that you carry the glory of God, you will not walk with slumped shoulders. When you grasp the fact that out of your spiritual belly flows rivers of living water, you will not let junk into your physical belly. Every single truth of the grace gospel has an implication for your health and lifestyle and in a positive manner. Grace does not invite you to carelessness but to care. God has provided all you need but you manifest it and rule in His name. He will care for the earth through you. Hence, you care for creation and engage in efforts to protect and steward it. He will care for your body both supernaturally and naturally. Some pastors and believers neglect this truth and literally preach or work themselves to death and are surprised when they die. They wonder why God did not protect them and replenish their biological energy. After all, they were working for Him! God will not handle what He has told you to handle through your reason and common sense. While we do not believe that exercise will protect and elongate your life as a believer, for example, we preach that exercise can keep you in shape for the work of God and the world. While we do not preach that eating healthy or having a balanced diet will ward off disease, you need to eat healthy and a balanced diet because it is right for you, and you are the righteousness of God in Christ! You do the right things naturally and not out of fear of death. You operate according to your identity in Christ and not according to the dictates of the world that is so obsessed with themselves and their image before others. It is not spiritual or Christian to smell bad, eat junk, or look shabby. Put on blessedness because you are blessed and highly favored!
By
IFEANYI CHIBUZO FIDELIS 

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