The Bodies 1

I had never noticed, until recently that the whole first section of Romans 12 is about "the body". It is a very good slide between the two different references to "the body" in scripture. For instance, Romans 12:1 & 2 refers to the Literal Body. When it says to "present our body's as living sacrifices", it refers to our actual body in an allegorical way. In the following verses, Paul refers to "the body of Christ" and its many gifts. This is the Allegorical Body. An parabolic reference to actual individuals. So first, lets examine these two:
Literal Body:
The many references to "the body" and/ or "the flesh" can be debated as to their definition. When Paul asks us to make a sacrifice of our bodies (so to speak), he is referring to a spiritual action of sacrifice (not literal, bodily sacrifice), but . . . of what? What comprises this "body" we sacrifice? Is it just what makes up our senses? Our bodily functions and desires? Our emotions and intellect? Or all of these? AND, when "the flesh" is referenced (as in Phil 3:3-4) does this parallel the same definition as "the body"? Whew.
Well, here is my theory: I assume the flesh and body, when spoken of in Scripture, refer to anything on our person or in our make-up that we can not take with us after death. There is an eternal part of us that lives on forever and we experience it her on earth. We know that it is different from this body or flesh and has different desires and motivations (why else would we have to sacrifice it? Rom. 8:13). Thus, all things finite and ephemeral constitute this body. The tricky part is splitting hairs between emotions and spiritual fruits. For example, which is eternal, happiness or joy (or both)? These, however, are more definitive questions for another addendum. For the sake of general progress, I will move on.

Allegorical Body: In Scripture, this is a reference to "The Body of Christ". Rom. 12:5, 1 Cor. 10:17, 1 Cor. 12:12-27, and Eph 3:6 all speak of this kind of body. It is one of 2 prominent analogies for "the Church" or "Followers of Christ". The other, is the Bride. Over and over again in Scripture, these two analogies are used to explain the function, preciousness, and spiritual capacity of Christ followers (as individuals and as a unit).

Now that the two uses have been generally identified and defined, allow me to present an idea that came to me while reading this flow between the two "body" references in Romans 12. I was thinking about my physical body and my part in a spiritual body and how the spiritual reference gives meaning to the physical one. For example: marriage is both a literal union on earth and a spiritual analogy for Christ and the Church. The spiritual analogy gives the earthly, physical union even more meaning and sacredness than it already has anyway. I can look at my marriage and think, "This is important and worth protecting and working on, not just because I want a good and successful marriage, but because marriage is a representation of God's love and union with us, His Church."
In this same way, shouldn't the body be attached with similar implication? Let me preface also by saying that our bodes are made in Gods image and are "His Temple", thus are already sacred. Earthly marriage is also spoken of as sacred even before we get to the spiritual side of it. But in the same way that the analogy adds even more meaning to marriage, shouldn't the parallel analogy of the body bring even more sacredness to our perspectives of our physical self?
In my intro post, I spoke of the body being shown in a spiritual way. This is because it bends to the will of the Spirit and helps the Spirit enact it's will. It thus, is participating in a spiritual way, even though it is finite and a general enemy of our Spirits. Our perspectives and spiritual command of our bodies are the difference between our body being an instrument of our ego or of the greater will and purpose of God. This is why I feel that this is an applicable point. By placing a connection between our Literal Body and the Allegorical Body, we can meditate on this and bring even greater meaning to our existence. This is the essence of this observation.
If you are like me, you have heard all your life that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and Made in the Image of God and all that jazz. But, I still fail to embrace these ideas applicably. As a person who has a history of self-abuse, it is even more imperative that I discipline my mind to evoke my own sacredness. It was a life changing moment when I was given a higher spiritual essence to my marriage through the Biblical analogy. I hope for the same conversion of my mind and perspective in this meditation. So I ask you (as I ask myself), what does the Analogy have to do with the Literal? Is there a greater idea that we can feed off of daily in the pursuit of righteousness? In our daily battle with our body and Spirit, does the analogy of the Body of Christ, give me another clue to my own amazing Spiritual power? If you have any extended thoughts or applications to this, please indulge me. There is still plenty to explore here. Cheers.