Big Idea: Because of the cross, we do not belong to ourselves.
About a year ago, we bought a used car. Before it was our car, it belonged to someone else. They loaded their kids in it, vacuumed their kids’ snacks out of it, took it on their trips, and put their parking sticker in the window. If the former owners came into our garage today expecting to do those things, we would have an issue. That car is bought and paid for. It is no longer for their use, but for ours.
Something similar happened to you, if you are a Christian. You used to belong to the world, with its obsession over status and success (1 Corinthians 6:1), and its immorality (1 Corinthians 6:15). But Jesus bought you with His blood, washed you, and transformed you. Once you are saved, you go from being a den of sin to being a Temple of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own, to use our lives as we please. Our lives belong to the One who purchased us at a very steep price.
This is obviously radically counter-cultural. How can we say that my life is not my own? The implications for lots of current debates are radical. When a Christian is pregnant, their body belongs to God. When I decide whether or not to wear a mask in public, my face belongs to God. When I decide whether to tell the truth or a lie, my mouth belongs to God. When I decide what music to listen to or TV programs to watch, my ears and eyes belong to God. All those things have been paid for. The question is not what I want to do, but what would bring glory to Him.
Discussion Idea: Some people will use vulgar language, but not in the church building. Does that kind of distinction make sense biblically?
Prayer Focus: Take a specific part of your life today to dedicate to God.
