The basis of Bod 4 God is the Bible which tells us that our bodies were created, by God and for God.
There are many Scriptures that mention this, but a favorite is Colossians 1:16:
“For by Him all things were created ….and for Him.”
A lot of believers are strong in the first part. We know we are made by Him. God is our creator. But we struggle with the second part. We were also created for Him. Not only is He the creator of our bodies, He is to be the controller of our bodies. It is to be for Him.
The Bible says that you and I are the greatest of God’s creation. God loves all creation, it true. We should take care of God’s creation. But He says, you and I are the greatest of all creation for one simple reason. You and I are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26). My body wasn’t created just for my personal gratification; it was also created for God’s glorification. God gives me my body so I can fulfill the purposes He has for me.
- My body was created by God and for God.
The good news is that God gives us a lot of help in knowing how to have a Bod4God.
The word “body” is found in the Bible 179 times.
God doesn’t just say, “I want you to have a Bod 4 God.” He tells us how to do it.
The purpose of this series, the Growth Groups, the Losing to Live Competition, the prizes and Steve Reynolds visit is to help you achieve a Bod 4 God lifestyle.
- Bod 4 God is a lifestyle, not a diet.
We hope to encourage you to implement a lifestyle that you can live out for the rest of your life.
Personally overeating is a huge struggle for me. I love food! I want to eat whatever I want, whenever I want. And I don’t want to exercise. This is the part of my lifestyle that is so difficult for me but needs to change with God’s help.
One verse haunts me because it is me.
Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. Philippians 3:18-19
My belly is often my god. I quickly turn to food for comfort, reward, when stressed, when happy and when bored! This makes me an idolater and is an area of my life that I need to dedicate to God. As a pastor many other things are dedicated to God. Porn is not an issue for me, alcohol, cigarettes, I am only going to have sex with one woman and it is my wife. But in the area of food and eating, this is often far from God!
Why? Because it is about me. I have a Bod 4 Darrell not a Bod 4 God.
Many of you may also struggle with food. Steve Reynolds says, “Christians are the most overweight people group in America.” Gluttony and overeating seem to be the “acceptable” sins and the “not talked about” sins in churches. But it’s time to admit that these are not acceptable.
Some of you, you are doing OK on your eating and weight. I would encourage you to examine the rest of your life, because there is probably another area where you are struggling.
To have Bod 4 God you can’t be looking at porn or smoking a cigarette that takes three minutes off your life. It could be bitterness. Your body was never designed to keep bitterness without serious consequences. And the list could go on; maybe it is alcohol or another drug. These are all areas that we need to look at.
When I talk about my eating, it is my sin of choice. I don’t chose pornography, alcohol or bitterness. It is not my area of struggle, but food is. For you, be honest about what is holding you back from having a Bod4God.
- Bod 4 God is about is living the life that God designed for you to live.
I have decided to make that choice! I know there is more to life than craving sweets, obsessing about food, disliking how I feel and look all while worrying about my health.
In Matthew 16:24-25 Jesus said this. “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”
I want to deny myself, follow Jesus and take up my cross. It’s not a literal cross that Jesus took. He is the Savior. I can’t save anybody. The cross for me is a cross of discipline, health and wellness. And do you know what? This is the life the life that he has for all of us.
Whatever we are hanging on to: food, drugs, pornography or bitterness. It’s not worth it!
Are you willing follow Jesus and have a Bod 4 God?
I am and I hope you’ll join me!
Darrell
Upwards Church 
Insightful… thanks for the verse I had overlooked that one!
Thanks! Glad it was helpful