And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. Galatians 5:24 AMPC
Background:
Of course, ownership is certainly critical to any discussion or demand on accountability. You cannot place a demand or seek to direct the life of someone or seek to control something you do not control. The maker or creator of a device would provide a manual for anything made; no matter how hard you try or pray, you cannot use a motor vehicle as a microwave. Both have different functions according to their parts and defined use, and the manuals would provide clarity on what is acceptable use or not. My desires would define what I buy, and what I want to achieve will influence where I go. As it is in the physical, so does it also impact the spiritual. God is the Creator of all people and things, and by His wisdom, He has defined usage, content, position and impact, among many other things. The only way that created person or thing would have impact and also matter at the end of the day is if the purpose behind creation is discovered and pursued.
Focus:
It will not happen overnight; it is the result of a journey of a lifetime, with daily steps taken towards the fulfilment of God's purpose. The foundation of this journey is based on a clear knowledge of ownership. If I know whose I am, it helps me clarify who I am and what is expected of me. When the purpose of a thing is not defined, abuse is inevitable. The verse above says it also, referring to people who know who they are. Do you belong to God, or better still, does God know you as His own? It is possible for a man to be deceived, thinking he is right, but if I would just go to God and settle my identity with Him, based on His Word, I will be fine. If I belong to Christ, the minimum is that I am dead to the world. It may sound odd, but dead to the world has no middle ground. I can't have one foot in God, and the other foot still distracted by the offerings of the world.
Conclusion:
I must die to the world and all its attractions. The word used in the verse is 'crucify', which is the image of final, irreversible death. It is a public show, not something settled in private. Yes, the decision may be personal, but the fruit will be public. I may be a closet Christian for a while, but at some point, the fruit of my decision must become known to all men. After all, Christ didn't die in secret; the entire Jewish world at the time knew what happened to him. If I am a follower of Christ, I cannot respond to the passions, appetites, desires and distractions of the world. My new ownership does not leave room for that. That which is dead to me must remain dead; I can't afford to go toy with it once in a while. The devil is smart; he will keep you interested, so that peradventure one day, you may seek it out again. May the Lord keep my heart and eye only on that which glorifies Him, so that my life, and all its offerings, may be accepted in God's eyes. God's time of favour is here.
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