That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Saviour Jesus Christ.
[New City Catechism]
Our basic motive for life as Christians is that, in great love, God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to save us by sheer grace. In doing this He frees us from sin, evil and death, and brings us into His family, the best life now, and eternal life.
Paul says, ??you are not your own? For you were bought with a price?? [1Cor 6:19,20]. Because God gave everything He had to give ? even the price of His own Son?s life for our salvation, and we cannot contribute one ?jot? to it, we owe Him everything. We are not our own; we are God?s!
First of all this means, we give up the right to decide what is right and wrong?, and listen only to what Jesus Christ tells us in His Word. We must walk only in the path, and according to the truth, that He tells us. If we think we might know better, and make what we think are our own ?better choices?, we are set for disaster! Only holding to His truth guarantees salvation and fullness of life.
Not being our own, but God?s, also means we will not put ourselves first, but God. We will let our own desires and will be laid aside, and do firstly what God wants, and secondly love others. How could we not? ? when we have been loved so much by Him?
Not being our own, but God?s, also means that we can trust God utterly in good and great times,? and in all the bad and the ugly,? and in death!
Jesus Christ ? our one hope! ? the greatest hope!
Grace and cheers, Jonathan.