WE BELONG TO GOD

Romans 14:7-9 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living.

This exhortation of Paul applies to all Christians - both Jew and Gentile, male or female, bond or free, rich or poor. Regardless of race, color, heritage, or any other distinguishing characteristic, none of us livith to himself, and no man dieth to himself. Life and death sum up the totality of mankind's existence on earth. The church of Christ is made up of Christians that have believed and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, and have been baptized into His body. By this commitment, they become children of God, and fellow heirs with Christ, of the hope of eternal salvation - they become a family of Christians dedicated to loving God, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Christians do not live in a state of solitude; seclusion would make the fulfilling of their responsibilities, to God and others. of none effect. Christians cannot do God's will in isolation.

The vast majority of people, throughout the world, strive, during their lifetime to succeed. From the emergence of life, this is the goal, until it closes in death. But that success is for themselves. To have the "pleasures of life" is, to them, great gain. Wealth and honor are prime objectives of most of the world's population. To indulge in luxury, ease, and physical comforts, are general goals of all people seeking worldly possessions. This, most of the world deems as success, and such are those that live to, or for, themselves.

It is true that many people of great wealth are charitable; giving much to very good causes. However, even in their charity, not all, but most people of the world, do so seeking the applause, praise, and honor from their peers for their charitable deeds. Yes, even charity can be selfish. Notice what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about this subject. He said, And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing (1 Cor. 13:3). There is no spiritual benefit in giving all you have to others, unless it is done with an unselfish attitude - unless it is done through true love for the welfare of the other person.

In contrast to this, Christians are to be the very antithesis of one who selfishly seeks personal wealth and honor. True Christian love is longsuffering toward others, is kind, envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil (1 Cor. 13:4-5). Faithful and obedient Christians strive to obey and please their heavenly Father. And to do so, we are told to love not the things of the world, neither the things that are in the world (1 John 1:15a). Rather, Christians are to love God; and our love to Him can only be demonstrated through our love for our fellow man. And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God (must) love his brother also (1 John 4:21).

The Christian's existence, from life to death, gains satisfaction in loving God through complete obedience to His will. Indeed, we are the Lord's - our talents, abilities, and all the deeds of loving kindness we can possibly accomplish with them during our life on earth, belong to God. Faith in God, which results in unselfish deeds of love, will follow us in death, and testify, on our behalf, before God's throne of mercy (See Rev. 14:13). People of the world live to satisfy themselves through temporal wealth and honor, of which there is no benefit beyond the boundaries of earth. Covetous, prideful deeds will also testify on Judgment Day - not for us, but against us.

It is only through, His Son, Jesus Christ, that we can be reconciled to God by the forgiveness of sins, and, thus, become His children. It is to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. Upon His return into heaven, Jesus was given God's kingdom, in heaven and on earth. That kingdom is His church, the church of Christ, over which he rules today. He is our King - He is our Lord both of the dead and living - He rules today over those Christians that have departed earth and taken their spiritual form, as well as Christians still abiding on earth. All members of the body of Christ are the children of God, and remain in the kingdom over which Jesus continues to rule. And, weather living or dead, we are not our own - we all belong to God.