Your Life Is Not Yours
Your Life Is Not Yours
“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”
(Romans 14:7-8).
Instances abound all over the world of people who, out of frustration, took their own lives. Their reasons vary from being fed up with life and frustrated with society to outright self-defeat. It’s true that no one takes his own life joyfully, but a closer look would reveal that no matter the justifications, such acts are not only the products of selfishness and self centeredness but also of ignorance of God’s Word.
As Christians we need to realize that we don’t own our lives, the Bible says we’ve been bought with a price; (1Cor 6:20); we belong to Christ. None of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. So, if you don’t live to yourself, there’ll be no reason to give up on life; there’ll be no reason to be so self-centered as to contemplate suicide.
When the realization that God owns your life dawns on you, you’ll become more concerned with what His purpose is for your life, and the desire to fulfil that purpose would be the staying force of your life. Take a cue from the Apostle Paul, even at a time he was convinced he had fulfilled God’s purpose for his life he said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; (Philippians 1:21-25). How inspiring! He chose to live to be of benefit to others.
Even if you think you’ve fulfilled God’s purpose for your life, still choose the honourable way of being a blessing to others. To undertake suicide means that one has chosen to live to himself or herself; he or she has decided how long to live and when and how to die. This certainly isn’t the way for a Christian; a Christian should on no account contemplate taking his own life, for your life is not yours.
Prayer
Dear Father,
thank you for making your Word available to me today; your Word indeed is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, guiding me in the path of life, to live for your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Proverbs 3:7; Galatians 2:20
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Bible reading plan: Galatians 3:1-14, Song of Solomon 3-5
2 Year Bible reading plan: 1Timothy 3:8-16, Jeremiah 35
