Belonging to God

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

The concept of slavery or servanthood is not appealing to the modern world. It seems disgusting that anyone “belongs” to another. The world we live in values freedom and independence. But as Christians, we were once slaves to sin and death and now have given our lives to God. We are to surrender our thoughts, will, mind, body and decisions to God. Why? Because we belong to Him. We have been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We are living lives that are no longer our own. 

However, the beauty and irony of it are that only under the Lord’s ownership do we genuinely experience true freedom – to live life in its fullness, as God intended. God created us, and He knows what is best for us. And the Lord has a glorious plan for us – to be completely free from the bonds of sin and death in heaven, where we will see Him face to face. 

Life is a great deal – we offer our lives here on earth so we can live a glorious life in heaven forever. Are you sold to that deal that God is offering you?

So How Do You Belong to God All the More? 

1. Always keep in mind that you a servant of the Lord all the time. Your life here on earth belongs to Him. Therefore, surrender your time, energy, resources, and talents to the Lord. 
2. Let God’s word form your attitudes, values and thinking. Are your thinking and opinions formed by the Scripture, or by someone or something else? Be transformed from within – see Romans 12:2. 
3. Aim to please the Lord in your daily life – not others and not yourself. For example, does the way you speak and behave wherever you go please God or not? Aim to be respected rather than be liked. 
4. Surrender to God all your weaknesses and sins. Our struggle against the world, the flesh and the evil one is a lifetime endeavour. So surrender your temper, sexuality, finances, relationships and attitude to God. Hang on and fight for holiness until your last breath. 
5. Seek the Lord and His will for your daily life. Ask yourself: what decision would be pleasing to God? 
6. Practice denying yourself. It would not be easy, and it would be a lifetime struggle. The love of self is very stubborn, and it will re-surface periodically. Seek the Holy Spirit’s help to overcome that self-love. 
7. Belonging to God can also be seen differently – that God belongs to you. You will inherit what God has planned and prepared for you from the very beginning. Anticipate that time when you will be with Him forever. Whatever sacrifices, pains, hardships and difficulties you encounter in this life, it will be worth it.

Scripture References 

1. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 ESV) 
2. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (2 Corinthians 5:9 ESV) 
3. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV) 
4. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (Romans 14:7-8 ESV) 
5. Other Scripture references: 1 John 3:1-2; and 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

For Personal Reflection or Group Sharing: 

• Have you thought about the consequence of you belonging to God? 
• What can you do so that you can belong to God all the more?

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Top image: Scripture quote, and photo of worshiping hands raised to God in prayer, from BigStock.com, photo copyright: 1hamdan, Stock Photo ID: 2185476