I woke up yesterday with this thought ... ok, so it wasn't the FIRST thought after I woke up but it was definitely the one after that ... anyway, the phrase "your life is not your own" kept running through my brain. So, I looked it up to remind myself where it's actually found in Scripture:
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, for you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body.
(1 Corinthians 6.19-20)
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)
I am not my own; my life is not mine to govern.
I was bought with a price; I was purchased, ransomed.
And I am now "in" my body; this means that which is "not my own" and was "bought" - both being the same thing, namely ME - is presently resident "in" my body but not eternally bound to my body (i.e. if I am "in", then I can be "out").
I was bought with a price; I was purchased, ransomed.
And I am now "in" my body; this means that which is "not my own" and was "bought" - both being the same thing, namely ME - is presently resident "in" my body but not eternally bound to my body (i.e. if I am "in", then I can be "out").
This would also mean I am not responsible for the CIRCUMSTANCES I experience. Though I am always responsible for MY CHOICES (the ones I make "in" the body), but NOT for the circumstances preceding or proceeding from those choices ... IF I am walking according to my understanding of God, His Word and His revelation to me thorugh His Holy Spirit.
(You may want to read that again...
AND, here's an example of what I'm getting at:
Think of the story of Joseph in Genesis. Josephs was not responsible for the myriad of circumstances he faced - both good and bad - but in all things he held himself accountable to his choices and was obedient to God)
AND, here's an example of what I'm getting at:
Think of the story of Joseph in Genesis. Josephs was not responsible for the myriad of circumstances he faced - both good and bad - but in all things he held himself accountable to his choices and was obedient to God)
So, here is the thought that developed, upon which I still ponder... so feel free to ponder with me:
- Why am I HERE?
("here" referring to my current position in the space-time continuum) - If I am here because of OBEDIENCE,
then I should never pray for less suffering and more blessing, but for more FAITH that I might continue in my body, in obedience, for God's glory (and because He is trusting me to trust Him). - If I am here because of DISOBEDIENCE,
then I shouldn't be surprised by any suffering and should also pray for more FAITH that I might become obedient and therefore give God room to prove His love for me. (side note: it's hard to prove your love for someone when they continually walk away from you, except that they're always there when you turn around... God's cool like that).
FAITH
=
(God's stated promises + faithful character)
x
(our humble trust + coherent action)
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