YB Healthy

What is Health?

From a worldly perspective, the following is the definition of health:

Health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

What about from a biblical perspective?

3 John 2 KJV 1900

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3jn

In this address from the apostle John to Gaius, a church leader we actually we find multiple ways of having health.

Propsper

Prosper:

This is dealing with the temporal/secular needs of a Christian. The his life in his temporal affairs would be successful.

It reveals that God is not unmindful to our everyday affairs and that they can be prosperous and enjoy the blessing of God.

Daniel was successful even in his secular affairs.

Health:

The Greek word used in this verse for health is where the English derives the word hygiene from.

5617 ὑγιαίνω (hygiainō): vb.; ≡ DBLHebr 8934; Str 5198; TDNT 8.308—1. LN 23.129 be healthy, be well (; ; ; +; .r. NA26); 2. LN 72.15 be accurate (; )

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

It literally means to be in good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease.

Soul Prosper:

Now the apostle John deals with the spiritual nature of man. And when he says for the soul to prosper, he is meaning that the spirituality of the man would “progress”, or “advance”, or “develop in a positive way.”

Gaius’ character and piety must have been very advanced and prosperous for the apostle to wish or pray that he would have just as much prosperity in his secular affairs and his bodily health as he enjoyed the prosperity of his spiritual life.

The apostle John also gives

The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary 1. The Message to Gaius (1–8)

‘the elements of progress and vigour are combined’

What gave this church leader Gaius such spiritual prosperity?

Walking in the truth:

3 John 3 KJV 1900

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

3 jn

Gaius had received the truth into his inmost soul, but more than this, the truth was applied in his life.

He did not merely assent to the truth, but he walked in the truth.

There was a correspondence between belief and conduct.

He conformed his life to the truth, and the truth transformed him into the image of Christ.

His faith worked by love:

3 John 5 KJV 1900

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

3 John 5–6 KJV 1900

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

3jn 5-

This Gaius was an example to believers and his faith was demonstrated by his works of love.

The brethren reported back to John the works of charity that this man had done.

He was hospitable and generous to his fellow brethren, and also to strangers who needed his help in some way.

B. F. Westcott. (1966). Commentary on the Epistles of St John. Eerdmans.

Even from the Bible we see that health is not just the absence of disease or infirmity, but health is when the mind, body, and soul are in a state of well-being, and not only in state of well-being, but continually developing and progressing.

These scripture verses from 3 John give us clear insight into the close connection of the spiritual, mental, and physical in obtaining perfect health.

Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 226). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.B. F. Westcott. (1966). Commentary on the Epistles of St John. Eerdmans.

YB Healthy

Why is it important to be healthy?

Well I guess an obvious reason would be that no one likes to be sick, and therefore that is a good reason to be healthy.

But if that is the only reason as Christians to be healthy, then we need to understand the plan of salvation.

If the plan of salvation could be summed up in one word, it would be “restoration.”

The earth restored.

God’s order restored.

God’s people restored.

When we talk about God’s people being restored what do we mean?

Love, the basis of creation and of redemption, is the basis of true education. This is made plain in the law that God has given as the guide of life. The first and great commandment is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” . To love Him, the Infinite, the Omniscient One, with the whole strength and mind and heart, means the highest development of every power. It means that in the whole being—the body, the mind, as well as the soul—the image of God is to be restored. Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p 32.1

Like the first is the second commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” . The law of love calls for the devotion of body, mind, and soul to the service of God and our fellow men. And this service, while making us a blessing to others, brings the greatest blessing to ourselves. Unselfishness underlies all true development. Through unselfish service we receive the highest culture of every faculty. Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 32.2

The plan of redemption involves not only the soul, but the mind and body.

An illustration of this is found in the healing of the man sick of the palsy.

Matthew 9:2–8 KJV 1900

2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

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John 5:5–9 KJV 1900

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

“Son, be of good cheer”

Jesus brought mental and emotional relief to the man.

“Thy sins be forgiven thee”

Christ deals with healing of the mans soul, to cleanse him from guilt and shame and renew his heart.

“Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.”

Christ heals him physically of his infirmities.

This work of restoration is Christ seeks still to do in our day, working through human instruments.

God is seeking people who will be molded by His grace and receive the sanctification He wants to give them.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV 1900

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 thess

We have a very profound reason to be healthy, because we are preparing to live in the presence of a holy God.

And although the mortal body will be glorified when Jesus comes, the reason why we must keep our bodies in perfect health today is because of the impact that health principles have on our character which is to be prepared for eternity.

Not only are we to be healthy for the glory of God, but we are to be healthy to be able to serve others.

“The law of love calls for the devotion of body, mind, and soul to the service of God and our fellow men.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 32.2

We need to realize that we are not our own.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 KJV 1900

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Conclusion

YB Healthy?

It’s God’s plan for you to be restored mentally, physically, and spiritually.

You have the obligation and responsibility to keep the human machinery in the best possible condition to glorify God.

You also have the obligation and responsibility to be healthy in order to be used in God’s service and be a blessing to your neighbour.

What will motivate us to look after ourselves and preserve the body, mind, and soul for God?

It has to be love.

If we are mistreating our bodies or not progressing in health reform, it is because we do not have a concept of who God is, and that God is love.

Matthew 22:39 KJV 1900

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

matt

We’re to love our neighbour as ourselves.

But how we can we love our neighbour and minister to their mental, physical, and spiritual needs if we are not loving ourselves by ministering to our own mind, body, and soul and preserving it for the best good?

We will be healthy and conform to God’s plan of restoration only when we love ourselves.

And we can only truly love ourselves when we understand who God is and that He is love and what He gave to give us the life that we now have.