It is easy to say that I belong to God. In fact, I can say it and present myself as belonging to Him by appearing in church and attending bible study and talking the good game. But it is not presenting and appearing to others that demonstrates our belonging to God, it is the having the Spirit and living according to the Spirit of Christ that demonstrates our belonging.
“9You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” — Romans 8:9 & 5 (ESV)
My relationship with Christ is not something that I present to others for their view and approval. I have the relationship with Christ and others may be of witness to that relationship, but it is not “presented” to them. For my relationship to be of worth to me, it is for me. I have to have the Spirit of Christ in me at all times. I have to set my mind to live according to the Spirit and the example of Christ. When I have the and live according to the Spirit, I demonstrate to others that I indeed am a bit different and they are then able to see the example of Christ in me.
I have work to do here in this world and that work is to bring the gospel and the LORD to those around me. I am to ensure that others are able to see the Spirit of Christ in me whenever the come in contact with me and wherever I may be. I am to be the example of Christ and NOT force anything on anyone. I am to appear different to allow others to be curious as to just what it is that makes me different. They will ask and I will then have the opportunity to witness to them and give them the opportunity to accept the free gift of salvation from God and begin their life of belonging to God through having and living according to the Spirit of Christ.
In order to belong to God, it is my duty to have and live according to the Spirit if Christ. I do that by remaining in Him throughout my time in this world. I am responsible for spending time with Him each day. I am to continue learning from Him and living according to that learning, to not force others to see me, but to drive their curiosity as to what it is that makes me different. My living in the Spirit is the example of Christ to the world and my demonstration of my belonging to Him.
What are you doing out there in the world? Are you presenting yourself to others? What if you were to simply have and live according to the Spirit of Christ and be His example in the world to drive the curiosity of the world and then present the free gift of salvation to them so that they can and will belong to God as well?
Trevor's Thoughts 