I BELONG NOT TO EVERYBODY

Dearly Beloved, I BELONG NOT TO EVERYBODY “You know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God, don’t you? You do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought for a price. Therefore, glorify God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ISV). On May 29, 2015, in his inaugural speech as the newly sworn-in fifth executive president of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari inter alia said, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” This statement instantly became famous and many people gave it several interpretations. However, less than twenty-four hours after the statement was made, there was an emanated picture of a seemingly couple where the husband was querying his wife why she was not faithful to him and the wife was answering, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” The originator of the picture and people that were spreading it on social media were undoubtedly making fun out of the statement. Unfortunately, there have been many other funny pictures and captions relating to this statement. While this message is not intended to give the meaning or application of the said statement, it is clear that it is not meant for fun or unfaithfulness in the part of any spouse or any other person in a serious relationship. Nonetheless, the statement should remind you as a Christian about an important fact that you do not belong to everybody or nobody. In fact, you do not belong to yourself. You belong to God. You have been bought for a price, and you must, therefore, glorify God with your body (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The implication of this for a Christian is that the Christian must abstain from things that will dishonor God in his/her actions and words, and he/she must always present him/herself as a living sacrifice unto the Lord (see Romans 12:1). You cannot use your body as if it belongs to you or any other element outside you. Everything about you must always glorify God. Apostle Paul explained this thus: “If we live, we live to honor the Lord; and if we die, we die to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8 ISV. See also 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 3:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; 1 Peter 2:9). This fact settles all arguments about what we put on, what we put into our mouth, and how we live our lives. I belong NOT to everybody or nobody. I belong to Somebody. I belong to my God! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always be conscious of the fact that you belong to God.