WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18
19 Or 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, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Burger King” Lifestyle – Have it your way?
In this passage, Paul is calling the Corinthian Christians to live in such a way that they would honor God, as they belong to Him. There are five words in this passage that I would argue are some of the most critical words for our cultural moment:
YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN.
Now, this sentiment that “you are not your own” runs in direct opposition to the consistent messaging in our culture. The message that we are fed through marketing, social media, and music is that you are your own, you belong to yourself, you are free to do whatever you like, whenever you like, with whoever you like. For example, have you heard the new Burger King Commercial (it’s very catchy): “At BK…HAVE IT YOUR WAY.” Have it exactly how you want it. Personalized. All about you. Now I don’t think getting a Whopper your way is a bad thing, but this is an example of what the focus is in our culture.
We live in an age of “expressive individualism,” where it is all about me!
Yet, the Bible invites us into a very different story. The Bible speaks not of individual origin and emphasis but rather of all things coming from God and through God. The New City Catechism #1 says this:
What is our only hope in life and death? A: We are not our own, but belong, body and soul, in life and in death to God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
John Calvin, the great theologian and thinker says it this way,
“If we, then, are not our own but the Lord’s, it is clear what error we must flee, and whither we must direct all the acts of our life. We are not our own: let not our reason nor our will, therefore, sway our plans and deeds. We are not our own: let us therefore not set it as our goal to seek what is expedient for us. . . . We are not our own: in so far as we can, let us forget ourselves and all that is ours. Conversely, we are God’s: let us therefore live for him and die for him.”
May this truth about reality completely revolutionize how you see your life and see your purpose. Friends, we are not our own; we belong to God!
Prayer
Our Father,
Thank you for your Word. We pray that by your Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 would change us into the likeness of Christ. We acknowledge our sin of making it all about us. Help us to see the truth that we belong to you and that your purpose for our lives is all that matters. Father, we pray this now through The Son, and By the Spirit. Amen.
LISTEN/LIKE/SUBSCRIBE:
