Beech Tree News Network

This phrase comes from a passage found in II Chronicles 20:5-19. Jehoshaphat had been praying to God concerning a particular battle. God answered him and said, “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v. 15). Can you think of other things that are not ours but God’s?

             Let me suggest that all physical blessings are not yours, but God’s. These blessings are ones that are given to every man regardless of spiritual condition. Life itself is a material blessing that originated with God, not man (Gen. 1:1, 26-27; 2:7). The benefits of weather (rain, sun, etc.) are blessings from God (Matt. 5:45; Heb. 6:7). The marriage between a husband and wife is also a physical blessing given to us by God. Jesus taught that none “marry nor are given in marriage” in Heaven (Matt. 22:23-30). Thus, the blessings of marriage are physical in nature.

             In like manner, all spiritual blessings are not yours, but God’s. Spiritual blessings belong exclusively to God’s people. Not everyone can enjoy God’s spiritual benefits, though. David wrote, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people” (Ps. 3:8). David also said that the one to receive God’s blessing was the one “that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (Ps. 24:1-5). Looking to the New Testament, we see Paul teaching the Galatians that the blessing of being Abraham’s seed belongs to those who have obeyed the Lord (Gal. 3:13-14). Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” These spiritual blessings are given to us by God. Let us never forget that!

             Finally, I want to suggest to you very kindly, but firmly that our bodies do not belong to us, either. They belong to God! It is high time we understood this truth. In Romans 12:1, Paul tells us that we are to present our bodies to God (literally, “to be at His disposal”). Our bodies are to be living sacrifices, holy, and acceptable to God. Doing this is a reasonable, rational thing, he said! Please read I Corinthians 6:19-20. “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Friend, what does “ye are not your own” mean? This passage is crystal clear on the subject of “who owns my body?”. Once we learn what “ye are not your own” means, we will no longer try to destroy our bodies with tobacco, drugs, alcohol, and a host of other things that fit in this category. Once we decide we will obey I Corinthians 6:19-20, we will be as the man in Ephesians 5:29 who nourishes and cherishes his body and uses it in the service of the Lord! Let us learn this lesson and learn it well!

             There are many things that are not ours, but God’s. Let us be thankful to a gracious God that has given us so many gifts, including the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16)!

 -- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167