YOU BELONG TO GOD

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's – 1 Corinthians 6:20

Life is a collection of decisions, a series of decisions, which define our habits, character and associations. Some decisions are relatively simple and minor; others are tough and major, with lasting impact. We seldom struggle before acting on the simpler decisions. We decide almost instinctively and spontaneously on what to eat, what to wear, and who to talk relate to, giving them little thought. With the tough choices – which job to take, where to live, who to marry, and the like – we rationalize, weigh pros and cons and try to determine the right course of action. In any case, we often forget this fundamental truth: We are not our own. WE BELONG TO GOD!

This seems easy to forget! We tend to approach life with a sense of autonomy and independence from our Creator. But God wants a deeper worship in our lives. Rather than living independently of Him while giving Him our respect, He wants us to live dependently on Him with awareness that every action, every thought, every impulse is to fit into His purposes. We must not act – or even breathe – without this awareness. We have been bought. We are His.

Some might consider this the equivalent of slavery or servitude. Paul always did (Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1), regardless of whether he was free or in prison. But it is a joyful service that carries with it no sense of oppression. How could this be? Our Master is the epitome of benevolence. He knows our innermost being and is zealously intent on fulfilling us. The key for us is living with the knowledge that we are owned and operated by the most loving and qualified Owner possible.

The Christian who lives with this wisdom – that we are owned by another – is one who is profoundly transformed. Our decisions are affected, our character is reformed, and our load is lightened. We lose the right to ourselves, but we also lose the burden of self-rule. It is a wonderfully liberating truth. Everything about us is the concern of the Almighty God Himself. We can cast ALL of our burdens upon Him – for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).