‘For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood…..’ Leviticus 17:11

 

‘Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health…’3 John 2. Health is the state of a living body, in which all the parts are sound, well organized and disposed, and in which they all perform freely their natural functions. In this state the body feels no pain. Thus Health is "a state of complete mental, physical, and social well-being." Spiritual well-being adds wholeness to this definition.

 

‘And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness….So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.’ Genesis 1:26-27. Man came from the hand of God perfect in every faculty of mind and body; in perfect soundness (HR: Good Health, Mar 1883), graceful and symmetrical in form, regular and beautiful in feature, their countenances were glowing with the tint of health and the light of joy and hope, they bore in outward resemblance the likeness of their Maker (Ed, pg21), therefore were in perfect health. In order to have good health, we must have good blood; for the blood is the current of life. It repairs waste and nourishes the body. When supplied with the proper food elements and when cleansed and vitalized by contact with pure air and sunshine, and circulation maintained by proper clothing, it carries life and vigor to every part of the system. The good (pure) the blood and the more perfect the circulation, the better the health.

‘God's purpose for His children is that they shall grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. Increased in physical strength and wisdom’ luke 2:52. In order to do this, they must use aright every power of mind, soul, and body. They cannot afford to waste any mental or physical strength. The question of how to preserve the health is one of primary importance. When we study this question in the fear of God we shall learn that it is best, for both our physical and our spiritual advancement, to observe simplicity in diet and dress.

The Creator of man has arranged the living machinery of our bodies. Every function is wonderfully and wisely made. And God pledged Himself to keep this human machinery in healthful action if the human agent will obey His laws and cooperate with Him. Nature's laws are not to be resisted, but obeyed. The knowledge that man is to be a temple for God, a habitation for the revealing of His glory, should be the highest incentive to the care and development of our physical powers. Fearfully and wonderfully has the Creator wrought in the human frame, and He bids us make it our study, understand its needs, and act our part in preserving it from harm and defilement.