On Breaking His Body

Tatoos were considered sinful by Christians during earlier times. In fact in Old Testament times it was a sin (Leviticus 19:28). Since then we've developed a profound dislike for anything that ties us down. It seems so primitive to be stuck in the Old Testament. After all, we are now under "grace" is the popular argument advocated.

What we do to our flesh, our skin, is now an open debate among many Christians. To make matters even more cloudy they now aspire after what they term "Christian" tattoos. This does not affect only our flesh (or skin). It also affects our hair lengths. Originally Christians abided by the simplicity of I Corinthians 11:14 which explained, "Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?"

This text, as well as the one on tattoos, is now reduced to material for argument. The most popular argument on this one is context. Context is also a worthy argument for the verse on tattoos. According to the context in Leviticus it was also wrong to shave or to eat blood filled foods (verses 26 and 27).

Still, one must acknowledge that the pseudo art of tattooing is dangerous. It involves cutting oneself. Cutting oneself has always been a practice related to the occult. When the 450 priests danced and cried for Baal to prove himself for the Israelites they resorted to cutting themselves to get his attention (I Kings 18). Then there was also the demon possessed man who lived amongst tombs and would cut himself (Luke 8).

Another position for debate is now modesty. What does that even mean? Can you wear a mini skirt or should you not even show your ankles? Is it true that the Bible say's "without the wearing of ties there is no remission of sin"?

To all of this I have my opinions. On some of them I even have a conviction. But I think we are missing the big picture. We have resorted to a vicious self ownership. This is my body and I'll do with it as I please. I can tattoo. I can be hairy. I can wear what I want. I can eat and drink what I want. I can abort if I want. I can do anything I want, 'cause it's my body.

On the other hand Christ tells us, "This is my body which is broken for you" (I Cor. 11:24). He did not claim any special privileges. Instead He renounced them. He gave up His body. He had His body broken. All of this so that we could be His. We are bought with a price. A high price, in fact, it is a price so high that we cannot measure the true value of it all. Yet we must be willing to pay the cost. We must learn also to make our own lives, including our bodies, living sacrifices.