How does Romans 14:8 connect with 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 about belonging? Romans 14:8 — Belonging in Life and Death “If we live, we live to the Lord; if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” • Every moment—breathing or not—rests under Christ’s lordship. • “Belong” (Greek: kyrios-centred ownership) anchors identity far deeper than circumstance. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — Belonging by Purchase “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” • The Spirit’s indwelling marks us as God’s private property. • Calvary’s price tag makes the ownership legal and eternal. One Seamless Reality Both passages unite around three certainties: 1. We are not independent entities; we are the Lord’s. 2. His claim covers the whole person—soul and body, life and death. 3. Because we’re His, every choice is an act of stewardship, not self-expression. Creation and Redemption — The Double Claim • Psalm 100:3 — “It is He who has made us, and we are His.” (created) • 1 Peter 1:18-19 — “You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ.” (bought back) Together they explain why Romans 14:8 speaks of natural belonging and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 speaks of purchased belonging; both are true simultaneously. Practical Outflow • Decisions: ask, “Does this honor my Owner?” • Body care: nutrition, sexuality, rest—temple maintenance for His glory. • Suffering and mortality: even dying is “to the Lord,” so fear loses leverage. • Community: respect fellow believers; they bear the same Owner’s seal. Related Reminders • Galatians 2:20 — crucified with Christ, Christ living in us. • 2 Corinthians 5:15 — He died “that those who live should no longer live for themselves.” • Titus 2:14 — He “gave Himself… to purify for Himself a people of His own.” Living Today Whether scheduling a day, resisting temptation, or facing a doctor’s prognosis, the core truth stands: we belong—body, soul, life, death—to the Lord who created us and bought us. Ownership settled; purpose clarified; peace secured. |
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