“That is mine! It belongs to me!”
Those words (or something like them) have been heard by every person who has lived if they’ve lived in community with others.
Parents cringe when they hear them.
We all say them though…even if it is merely through our attitudes and actions.
It can be seen in our homes, school and work.
It can be readily spotted on the nightly news. Someone kills or hurts someone over something that was theirs.
It even happens inwardly–in my own heart. It can come out like through a sigh when someone or something keeps me from MY plans.
Because these words precede much chaos and sorrow in our world, this phrase or words like it have a negative feel. We have been taught to share, give generously and to love one another so these words sound like sin. Most of the time it probably is.
But there is one situation in which it isn’t!
If you find yourself in this one situation, you can actually be comforted by these words.
Because they are the words that Jesus Christ has for you if you are His.
“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
The context of this verse is one in which Paul is calling God’s people to godliness and to glorify God in our bodies since we belong to Him. These verses have served to call me to live a godly life in this body but there is comfort in them as well.
I received that comfort this weekend at church as my pastor used the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism in our worship service. The first question of that catechism is this:
Q. 1. What is your only comfort, in life and in death?
The answer should supply sweetness to our souls…
A. That I belong–body and soul, in life and in death–not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
I don’t cringe when I read that…do you?
My spirit is saying, “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.”
I am relieved that I have a God who says, “They are mine! They belong to me!” Whether I am dead or alive. Acting in a godly way or having a particularly bad day.
This particular catechism question and answer reminds me of a quote by Abraham Kuyper:
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, “Mine!”
I’ve experienced some evil and sorrow in this life. Since you are living in this world, you have too. The past year or two have been particularly hard on me but the Lord has sustained me with His truths and presence. Even though this is true, I need to experience a time of healing. A time in which I fully embrace and grasp this truth. That my life isn’t in the hands of sinful people and it isn’t an experience of chance and random occurrences. I am His. He is sovereign.
But to receive comfort from these truths, I must learn to trust God. I must learn to live, as Paul said, “By faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Do you, like me, know these truths but so often still struggle to apply them consistently?
Each day and every moment is an opportunity to decide if we will trust Him even in the midst of anxiety, fear, grief, anger or just simple daily frustrations.
As Jerry Bridges says in Trusting God, “…just as we must learn to obey God one choice at a time, we must also learn to trust God one circumstance at a time. Trusting God is not a matter of my feelings but of my will.”
This truth that I belong, body and soul, to Jesus Christ and that not a hair can drop from my head without it fitting His purpose for salvation, helps me. It helps me to be comforted and emboldened to live for Him one circumstance and choice at a time. I hope that it will also be a comfort to me as I one day face death.
Is this also your comfort in life and in death?
Image taken from Google Images, artist unknown.
Trust in any relationship is built on faithfulness. We don’t choose to just trust people and I think the same is true with our Lord Jesus. We either trust or we don’t. Our hearts is not able to just “do” trust, for choosing is one thing, but doing quite another. We learn to trust Him more and more as we experience His faithfulness more and more. I think that trust is a gift just like faith and in the same way that we mature in faith, we also mature in trust. If we were able to choose trust then it was not grace and anything that is not grace is law and therefore not of God. Please feel free to disagree, dear friend.
Blessings XX
Mia
I do agree that we grow in our trust. At the same time I do feel we are called to trust based on His identity given to us in scripture. Perhaps both? I’ve been shown He is trustworthy in my life for big and little things. I also know He is trustworthy by reading His Word. Yet each day–I struggle with trusting Him for things that are no bigger than He’s already done for me. I respond in my flesh instead of trusting that if I yield to the Holy Spirit, He will provide what I need in the moment. So I’m working toward yielding and trusting in these ways. I am growing in living out my belief that He is a God worthy of being trusted. He has shown me He is good. He is good. Do I live like it? I believe this is a never-ending process that I’ll practice my entire Christian walk. This is…my walk. Does this make sense?
There is no greater feeling or blessing than to KNOW that no matter what I belong body, spirit and soul to my risen Savior, Jesus Christ, Blesssings Gloria
I agree…it truly is our only true comfort in this life…and in death…
I really loved your thoughts, and I thank you for the sweet reminder that no matter what happens, I am God’s child, and He cares for me. Both of my earthly parents are gone now, and I miss them SO much. But, knowing God is my Father, and He will never leave or forsake is a HUGE comfort to me! I am SO glad I stopped here today! God’s peace be with you! Love, Cheryl
I’m sorry both parents are gone. My husband lives out that same reality. There is a real change…but perhaps it makes this reality of being God’s more real to him, you and others who experience it. A prayer for you that this will comfort in those moments you miss them so. Blessings…
I love the name of your blog! Yes we all came from wasteland to graceland. What comfort and strength it is to know that we are His. We belong to Him and He is always there… Blessings and love, Natasha
Thank you and thanks for visiting…
That question and answer from the Heidelberg Catechism is one of the most profound and comforting documents to come out of the reformation. And it ties in so well with Proverbs 3:5 and 6 about not relying on your own insight but trusting God instead.
God bless you.
I agree…I feel profound peace when I read it. Thank you for stopping by here and commenting…Blessings to you…
What a comforting thought… Thanks so much for sharing this with Thrive @ Home!
Thanks for stopping by, Jenni. May you always be comforted by being His.
Faith over fear wins out. Jesus can help us if we only trust Him. Great post!
Faith over fear…I think that should be my new motto! Blessings and thanks for stopping by!
I love Jerry Bridges! I may need to pull that book off my shelf and flip through it again!
His writings are always re-read – worthy! Blessings to you and thanks for stopping by!
Yes, the selfish “Mine” is often expressed especially by children, but then we too are guilty of selfishness. It is wonderful to belong and to have someoe acknowledge that YOU are theirs. A husband, a child or even a friend, but most of all when Jesus sees us and says, “They are MINE”
He can be jealous and zealous for me…us…all He wants! Thank you for stopping by!
Reading this makes me smile. A wonderful reminder that God has made choice of me.
So glad I made you smile! Blessings this week, Wanda!
What a beautiful post and comforting words. This past Sunday at my church we sang the song “In Christ Alone” and a line in the song comes to my mind after reading your post…”my comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand”. Thank you for this 🙂
Love that song…is it possible to sing it along with other believers in church without a tear? Glad this post reminded you of that line…perfect…
I have heard of the Heidelberg Catechism but never read it. Your quote here makes me want to. How nourishing!! Thank you for sharing that soul food. You linked up ahead of me at Playdates today. Grace and peace to you in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I too am reminded this week of this catechism and am thinking of looking at it during my quiet times in the morning. Thank you for the compliment of calling this soul food. Blessings to you…
Glad to connect with you from Graced Simplicity. Great post about faithfulness.
Thanks for visiting!
I like those words when Jesus speaks them to me. They are such comforting words. Thanks, Amy, for this post.
Glad I could share something that brings us both comfort!
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