1 Corinthians 3:21-23. 21So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter) or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Let’s follow the logic here, shall we? 1) All things belong to God. 2) Christ belongs to God. 3) You belong to Christ. 4) Therefore, all things are yours.
Sadly, many Christians see their faith as primarily a list of things that are off-limits. A “to-don’t” list of things you’re not allowed to do. Many Christians have grabbed hold of the scripture that says “love not the world,” and as a result, they see holiness as rejecting all things instead of receiving all things.
But our union with Christ says all things are yours. God, the greatest giver in the universe, has freely given us all things in Christ. Paul, Apollos, Peter, the world, life, death, the present, and the future. That pretty much covers everything.
Here’s what the Bible is telling us – In Christ 1) We must not love the world’s system, and at the same time, 2) Everything in the world is ours to enjoy when bounded by love.
Let’s take the problem in Corinth for example. If everything is ours in Christ, including Paul, Apollos, and Cephas, three incredible Bible teachers, then why on earth would you choose just one? All things are ours! So why use any one thing to cause division?
When I was growing up the world was divided for me into “secular” and “sacred” categories. “Secular” movies, music, art, and books, were not good for me. “Sacred” or “Christian” music and movies were allowed. “Sacred” jobs, like pastor and missionary, were a higher calling than “secular” jobs like nursing, construction, or business. But this is a tragic error. When we go around shunning “secular” things, and exalting “sacred” things (categories that we have created), aren’t we limiting the Spirit? Aren’t we rejecting good gifts that he has given us? Yes, we must resist putting these gifts above God, “love not the world,” and, of course, some things are inherently sinful and must be shunned, but most of the world has been given to us as the common grace of God to be enjoyed within the law of love.
Here’s the beauty of seeing the world this way – now everything can take its proper place in our hearts. These good gifts from God are not God. They’re just things. Things that no longer have to rule me, or destroy me, nor do I have to destroy them. Rather I can learn to use all things for the glory of God.
Take sex for example. What if sexuality was just sexuality, not good and not evil in itself? What if it was just a good gift from God bounded by the law of love, not our identity and not our enemy? What if our sexual desires were a gift from God and a way to know him more?
Or what about death. Death? Yes, it’s on Paul’s list (v22). Death is ours. How could something so bad and so destructive be listed as a gift from God? Because, in Christ, death is turned upside down. What was once our enemy, is now our ally. In Christ, death serves to usher us into life, glory, peace, and joy. The wage of sin has become the doorway to salvation. Through Jesus, even death is for us not against us.
To live is Christ means all things are yours. The world. Life. Death. The future. The past. Everything is for you to experience, learn from, and enjoy when bound by the law of love.
You: Do you spend most of your time as a Christian thinking about the things you have to avoid, give up, or refuse?
You in Christ: How does being Christ’s make everything in the universe ours?
Christ in you: Are you willing to think through how everything and everyone is a gift from God and can glorify God when we are living by the law of love?
To Live is Christ 