“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Our generation of Christians has become the epitome of lukewarmness. We have become so much like the world, either in a compromising state of spiritual laziness or in a vain attempt to make Christianity look easy-going and free-spirited, that we have made it nearly impossible for unbelievers to see the difference between us and our non-Christian peers.
We have become comfortably content with our lifestyles and have bought into the lie that if we go to church multiple times a week, read some scripture each day, save ourselves for marriage, and maybe pray a tearful prayer every so often, we are spiritual giants.
While it is true that, in comparison to most youth today, this is fairly impressive (in fact, those are all very good things), there’s something wrong. If this is all that separates us from the world, we have missed the whole point.
And the point is simple: we are not our own.
Now, although 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is contextually speaking about sexual immorality in the church of Corinth, Paul is using an ever-present Christian truth: that we do not belong to ourselves (see also Romans 6). Our bodies, souls, and spirits are no longer ours; they are wholly, utterly, and uncompromisingly Christ’s.
Are you fully surrendering yourself to Christ?
That’s not rhetorical. It is absolutely vital that you answer that question for yourself with the utmost honesty. If you want to know if you are fully giving yourself to Him, answer these questions for yourself:
- What do I think about the most?
- What do my friends and I talk about most frequently?
- Do I yearn to read God’s Word and to talk to Him?
- Do I obey and delight in His commandments?
- If someone were to see my every action and hear my every word and thought, would they see a Christian living solely for Christ, or would my life be muddied with worldly behaviors and influences?
Let me be the first to say that I am far from passing that test. Even so, I choose to give my life completely to Him, and to surrender my paths to Him and allow Him to change my ways and make me into the image of His Son.
And the more I do that, the more my thoughts become centered on Him, the more I desire to spend time in His Word, and the more I can be His servant and vessel.
Watching my generation and some of my closest friends, many of whom were once close to Christ, become swept away into a compromising state of lukewarmness hurts me deeply.
Christ didn’t die to save a part of us. He died to save all of us. I don’t want to be my own. I want my every thought, my every word, my every action — my everything — to be wholly His.
Share Your Thoughts in the Comment Section!
There are currently 32 Comment(s)
There are currently 32 Comment(s)
Amen!
Thank you so much for this article Nathan…it was really convicting to me & I needed to hear it right now.
Amen! Wow! Thanks so much for writing this, @nathantasker:disqus. It’s always good to be reminded that we belong totally to God and should be honoring Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. I used to think of myself as a servant of God, but then I realized that a servant works for pay. I don’t serve God because I’m paid, I’m His SLAVE because He bought me with His blood and I owe Him more than I could ever dream of beginning to think about repaying! “To God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen.” – Romans 16: 27
And BTW, I have no objection to those who refer to themselves as servants of God. 🙂
Interesting points, Nathan. This article came at the perfect time for me. A question that especially stood out as I was reading was “What do my friends and I talk about the most?” It made me think.
Yeah, remember the Clayton McDonald video? When he was talking about people who are distracted by so many other things.
Great point, Josh! I love the verbiage of Romans 6: “slaves of righteousness.” And James, the brother of Jesus, begins his letter with “James, the bondservant of Jesus Christ (KJV).” Either way, we serve the Most High deserving nothing in return – yet He chooses to give us blessings fitting of heirs of God (Ephesians 1). Incredible and humbling!
That’s been one of the questions/issues that has most stood out to me in the past year or so. I actually wrote this article last May, before I watched the Clayton McDonald video, which made his video even more powerful to me. Thanks for sharing, @ruthie_c:disqus and @gbingo:disqus!
Amen! 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that, Grace! 🙂
Wow, Nathan, this is a wonderfully written article. I have been thinking about this very topic a lot lately, and this article kinda summed up all my mind’s jumbled thoughts. Reading it made me uncomfortable, and that’s a really GOOD thing. Thanks so much!
Excellent as usual, Nathan!
And I flunked that test you gave in the article. I recently started thinking I was pretty good because I’ve just gotten into the “real world” and I’m better than most of the folks out there. And as a result, I’ve started being more self-reliant and less God-reliant. Funny how that creeps up on you, and you don’t even realize it… But anyway, thank you – I needed an impossible standard, so I could realize that I’m not all I’m supposed to be!
Man, God’s timing…!
Thank you very much, Haylie!
So true @nathantasker:disqus! Absolute freedom is found in total and complete surrender.
Bought with a Price!
-Riley
Who can pass that test? I certainly can’t. I appreciate what you said about being “better than most.” We were talking about that at a study a number of weeks ago. We tend to think we’re doing OK if we’re better the rest, but our true standard is the Lord’s. And that’s a tough standard. Thanks a lot!
Besides Do Hard Things, the Clayton McDonald video was my first introduction to the Rebelution. I think it’s an accurate summary of what we’re about.
I like the way you put that! Surrender and freedom are often thought as polar opposites. Thanks, Riley!
Excellent job, Nathan! I’ve also realized that when I’m focused on Him, other things don’t matter. A little while ago, I was working on a book idea. I wanted to do it Narnia-style (Fantasy with Christian themes and morals). But it was a lot harder than it looks. I was trying to be as original as I could, but ended up with complete confusion. I almost gave up on it, but after some thinking and listening, I got a completely new idea for the book. A few weeks ago, I finished the plot for it (woohoo!) I know God pointed me in this direction for a reason.
I’m pretty sure you, my pastor, another friend, and my bible study leader are all stalking me, ’cause you’re all saying this, (something I’ve really been needing to hear),…..all at the same time. 😛
I keep getting confronted by my own flippancy, and I keep getting made uncomfortable with it. Lol, guess that’s a good thing…….
Thanks you for this post Nathan; it is spot on and very convicting.
This post was deeply true as well as completely convicting. It is SO easy to be caught in the tornado of the world. Why can’t I always remember that Christ has purchased me and that I belong to Him? If I could grasp hold of that truth fully, it can put me well on my way to living a victorious, Holy Spirit filled Christian life. Praise God that He has given Jesus, the Great High Priest who sympathizes with me in my weakness and failures–then picks me back up and walks with me again. {See Hebrews 4:14}
One of my favorite verses that I rejoice in often is:
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious Warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” >>Zephaniah 3:17
Thank you! That sounds a lot like me… years ago, I had an idea for a Narnia-like novel. I started it, then stopped. Then started it again, then stopped. Then started it again… then I had 3 chapters written and didn’t know where to go next. (And that was over a period of somewhere around 6 years!) I’m glad God gave you direction!
Honestly, none of us are innocent in this area. We all constantly need to remind ourselves that we are not our own! I’m glad you found it beneficial. 🙂
Wow, that’s a great verse! And I currently have Hebrews 4:14-16 on my mirror for me to memorize. 🙂 Thank you, Moriah (which, by the way, is an awesomely biblical name)!
Sure thing! I love my name. My parents chose that name for me because it means “the Lord is my Teacher.” Also for the story of Genesis 22. Abraham was called to sacrifice his only son Isaac on Mt. Moriah. It is a parallel picture of John 3:16 when God sacrificed, gave His only Son. This precious story of faith so intimately connected with who I am, what I am named for has become one of my OT favorites. Abraham discovered God as our Provider, Jehovah-jireh. He said that on the mount of the Lord it would be provided. I have come to know God deeply by this characteristic. Namely Him providing everything I needed to go to Uganda last spring in less than a month!!
Just a little background story on me. 🙂
I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot lately. Whether I have truly surrendered every aspect of my life to Christ. My future, is perhaps the hardest. I want to worry, to doubt, and fret over my future, but my future belongs to God. It’s up to Him to plan, (and worry if He likes,) and it’s up to me to have faith. Faith is hard! I want to see results, but results are the reward of faith, not the prerequisite.
And, (take that, English teachers;) like a forgetful Israelite in the wilderness, I find it easy to forget how God has always come through for me in the past, even if it wasn’t quite how I expected Him to.
I agree totally – you sound like me!
I SOUND like you? I thought you were a MIME! (Mind blown!!!)
Lol that is a good one
LOL! I’d say you look like me, but that’s a little weird somehow. And I talk when I’m not a mime! Ask anyone who knows me, I’m not quiet. So, let’s say “You sound like I do when I’m not being a mime.” Good enough?
Haha! Good enough. Thanks:)
😉
Very well stated, Mallory! Oddly enough, I literally just finished typing a blog post about fear, worry, anxiety, etc. I guess the two topics are quite related, aren’t they?
“You Are Not Your Own.” Amen!
Sounds like it is God who is “stalking” you, because He loves you and wants to conform you to the image of His own Son–for your safety. =v)
You’re right! I used to struggle with fitting Christian themes into my writing, but now that I have grown closer to Christ, Christian themes end up in my writing whether I want them there or not! (and I do:) It’s become as natural as breathing to me. I’m so glad too, because I thought that would be the hardest part. ( It is STILL hard to be original though!)
I was trying to follow C. S. Lewis’s style. He wrote a great Christian story without sounding overly religious to non-Christian audiences. What I realized was that I needed to be honest, not just for readers, but for myself. You have no idea how confusing it was for me the first time drafting! 🙂
Thanks, (very well stated yourself) and yes, I’m beginning to realize that. (I can’t wait to read your post by the way:)
Wow, you have no idea how much this exact topic has been changing my life in the past month. God has been pounding this into my head, and here He is, doing it again! I love those verses from 1 Cor. too.
That last question you asked, “are you fully surrendering yourself to Christ” was what I have been asking myself constantly over these weeks and really hit home for me. Every night I pray and surrender myself to Him and every morning I do the same (and a lot of times throughout the day:) It’s one of the hardest things that I’ve ever had to do, and I admit that I don’t live like that all the time, but it is so worth it!!! I can’t stress that enough. It may be hard, but the best thing you could ever do. Thank you for taking the time to write this, Nathan!
That’s totally true. Fully surrendering ourselves to Christ is one of the hardest things we can ever do, yet it is the most rewarding. It’s a daily struggle to put to death what is earthly in us (Colossians 3:5). Thank you, Eva!
That’s awesome! And, Mount Moriah is the place (or is at least close to) where Christ was crucified, tying it even more to what was a foreshadow of the eternal provision. 🙂
Hey Nathan,
On June 28 i surrendered my life to Jesus. Then once schol started i began slipping away. God knew I needed this artical today. Ya see my best friend is ICU and i really needed the reminder that it’s not my life I live, but His. Thanks for that reminder.
In Christ Alone,
Joy Swen
I’ll be praying for you and for your friend! God bless. <3
Wow, it’s incredible to see God work. I will keep you and your friend in prayer, Joy!
Wow! I did not realize that. Thank you for telling me–it gives even more depth to the story. 🙂
Very well written! Thanks, Nathan!
It’s so easy to get swept away by our own desires and ideas. However, giving total control to God is always the best plan for us (Proverbs 3:5-6). He will easily work out all our seemingly insurmountable troubles for good (Romans 8:28). Trusting Jesus always gives such peace.
Thanks again for the great reminder!
Thank you, Stephen! You’re totally right.
Wow, Nathan, this is a hit in the guts for me, but I needed it. Thank you! Answering the question “What do I think about the most?” I realized that I actually think about my anger at people more than I think about God and His commandments. I have some serious thinking and changing to do! Thanks again!
I don’t know if I have ever noticed that verse before (Zephaniah 3:17), but I love it! Thanks Moriah!
Sure thing! 🙂
Yes, thinking about our thoughts (that’s a lot of thinking…) is one of the best things we can do to maintain a right relationship with the Lord. Thank you, Katie!
Wow! When the questions came up and I answered every single one it really made me feel awful because I wish I could’ve answered them so much differently. I believe the questions were really great though. It really makes you think about what you could change in your life and I really appreciate you writing this! Thank you!
Right! Nathan’s good at making me take a good look at myself…
He’s gifted! Not a lot of people can do that to me. So good for him!
I agree 🙂 Not to spam or anything, but he has a blog… http://notjustateen.blogspot.com/ I’d highly advise checking it out! I love it 🙂
Love this article Nathan! it really coresponded with my pastors message a few weeks back talking about how God Deserves our UnDivided devotion nothing less.
in Christ Alone
Emma
Hi Emma! Welcome to the Rebelution!
I love Nathan’s writing – he has a blog, if you want to check it out. 🙂
Wow Nathan, you’ve only written twice ever for the Reb? Or is the search thingamabob not working right?
Thanks I’ll check it out
You need a link?
ya sure
Here ’tis 🙂
http://notjustateen.blogspot.com/
Thanks
No problem! See you over there 🙂
🙂
Wow…AMEN!
Just about all of us wish we could answer those questions differently (well, at least I do!), but the good news is that things don’t have to stay that way! Once we’ve recognized areas in which we need growth, we can change them through the power of Christ. Thank you, Clare!
Thanks, Emma! I love it when the Lord uses seemingly unrelated things to bring us the same message. 🙂
Unless I missed one, I believe there have only been two articles posted. I sent Brett some others, but some of them, well, weren’t all that great… So I’m find with them not being published. 🙂 Maybe I’ll find some time to write some more; we’ll see what happens. 🙂
@nathantasker:disqus, you have talent!
I didn’t see this until just now! And I don’t think you are spamming at all. I think that is how you would say that. Spamming? Oh well! Haha!!! Thank you for recommending it. I’ll check it out.
You’re ever so welcome!