How To Lose Weight: Rest in Jesus' Finished Work

"(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)" (Philippians 3: 18-19)

One pastor taught me that to be an enemy of the Cross means more than to believe that there never was a Cross, or that Jesus never died on the Cross.

It can also mean that what Jesus did at the Cross was not enough, that He did not finish the work which the Father sent Him to do.

As long as we do not reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ, to that degree we do not acknowledge that our flesh has been crucified.

The lingering sense of reproach, of condemnation will still afflict us in our flesh and our minds, and to be carnally minded is death.

So, when I see people who struggle with their weight, who are obese, rather than condemning them, people need to share with them the Truth who sets us free:

Jesus Christ has paid for every sin, for every shame, for every hurt in our lives.

To the degree that we do not believe that Jesus has paid for everything, to that extent we will sense restlessness, fear, and most deeply of all shame.

With these upsetting emotions comes the need to eat, to undo or satisfy that emptiness. Thus, in this sense our belly, our stomach becomes our god, in that we try to satisfy this emptiness, this lack in our lives with more food,

The more that we receive God's grace in our lives, the more that our sense of fulfillment, the recognition of our complete (Colossians 2: 10) and accepted (Ephesians 1: 6) standing in Christ, in which there is no condemnation, none whatsoever (Romans 8: 1)

When we graciously receive this rest (Matthew 10: 28-30; Hebrews 4: 10-11), then the cravings for food, the need to eat more than one needs will disappear, and then the Wisdom of God through His Son ministers freely what to eat, how much to exercise, and guides us in healthy living.

Beloved, God wants us to prosper and be in health, even as our souls prosper ( 3 John 2), and our souls cannot prosper as long as we believe that Christ has not Finished the work of making us holy and acceptable to God.

If you struggle with your wait, rest in the Finished Work of Jesus, know that He has paid for every shame, hurt, and any sense of condemnation, and receive His grace for your body and mind to walk in divine health.