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.
Romans 14:7-9
One of the most important truths that Christians must learn, and one of the most important distinctions that sets us apart from the world, is the realization that this life is not about us. There are voices that constantly encourage us to put ourselves first. That is the message of most advertising, of some of the most popular social media sites, and much of the entertainment industry. The temptation to put ourselves first is attractive, but it is also wrong. We do not belong to ourselves because we belong to God: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
The things that we do and say have a powerful impact on others. The actions we choose to avoid do as well. It is vital that we are constantly aware of God’s interests above our own. Every day He has a purpose and plan for our lives, and that must be more important than anything else. The English Puritan Richard Baxter wrote:
Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
If life be long I will be glad,
That I may long obey;
If short—yet why should I be sad
To soar to endless day?
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than he went through before;
He that to God’s Kingdom comes,
Must enter by this door.
