Do we “own” our self? Can we live life the way we want to?

When we live for ourselves, the results are very clear:
Greed, sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness and wild parties.

If we belong to GOD, how then shall we live?

The results of a life in GOD is very clear as well:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.(1)

We are not our own: let not our reason nor our will, therefore, sway our plans and deeds.
We are not our own: Let us therefore not set it as our goal to seek what is expedient for us according to the flesh.
We are not our own: in so far as we can, let us therefore forget ourselves and all that is ours.

Conversely,

We are GOD’s: Let us therefore live for Him and die for Him.
We are GOD’s: Let His wisdom and will therefore rule all our actions.
We are GOD’s: Let all the parts of our life accordingly strive toward Him as our only lawful goal(2)

If we live, we live to the LORD; and if we die, we die to the LORD. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the LORD.(3)

As for me, to live is CHRIST and to die is gain.(4)

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Sources:
(1) Galatians 5:19-23
(2) John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion
(3) Romans 14:8
(4) Philippians 1:21
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Samuel Williams is co-founder & content director at Fluid. He is also the teaching pastor at Avenue Community Church in Toronto, Canada.