We are not our own

"The God to Whom I Belong" 

Greg Laurie 

www.harvest.org

"For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' "

— Acts 27:23–24

There are a number of analogies in the Bible that illustrate how we belong to God. For instance, we are called the bride of Christ. We are also compared to sheep that belong to a shepherd. Jesus said that He is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep (see John 10).

Sometimes we romanticize sheep, not realizing they are among the stupidest animals on earth. It should not inflate us with pride to know that we are compared to sheep. But it does remind us that just as a shepherd keeps watch over his sheep, God watches over us.

We are also compared to children. Romans 8:15 says, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' " Abba was the affectionate cry of Hebrew children for their fathers. Even in Israel today, you will hear children calling their fathers "Abba." It is loving. It is endearing. It is close. And we have that kind of access to God.

Finally we are referred to as God's actual property. We read in 1 Corinthians 6:19, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" God has reassured us of this by putting His seal on us as a king would seal his property. We belong to God.

An older gentleman who was known for his godly life was asked what he does when he is tempted. He replied, "Well, I just look up to heaven and say, 'Lord, your property is in danger.' "

You are God's bride. You are His sheep. You are His child. You are His property. So rejoice!