“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:7,8)
Our lives are connected to the lives of others. This is both thrilling and frustrating. We long for connection, but once connected, we don’t like the “ball and chain.” Oh for the days when we could go and do what we wanted without considering anyone but ourselves!
God uses human “yokes” to train us to wear His yoke. He breaks us of our independent, self-pleasing streak by forcing us to deal with the will of others. We can so resent the stubborn, contrary will of another that we become oppressive toward them; or, we can look in the mirror and question our own stubborn commitment to ourselves.
When we are redeemed by the blood of Christ, we are no longer our own. We have no right to ourselves, we are joined to another. To God we belong, and at all times we must take Him and His will into consideration. Is this bondage or freedom? To those of the world, it is bondage. To those who are of Christ, it is freedom.
This is the way of the Master. He came into the world to live a life connected to His Father; but the Father also intersected His life with those of men. They led Him, like a lamb to the slaughter, and He didn’t open His mouth. Obedience to God often looks very strange.
Whether you live or die, you are the Lord’s. Stay connected.