Question: Why my Whole Life For God?

Question:

I still don't quite understand why God makes such a complete claim on our whole lives and demands that we submit our lives completely to Him. It is sometimes said at crusades, for example: “If God wants you, then He wants all of you.” But doesn't that repel people? It sounds so restrictive to them, doesn't it? I still don't get on with it, but as a fully convinced Christian I want to be a credible witness to unbelieving people and have clever reasons for why I believe this and am therefore prepared to give my whole life to God. And why should everything in our lives always be for the glory of God - why do we often pray: “Let this evening be for Your honor and glory”? I believe it is also written in the Bible that ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More should be exalted in us. Why all these terms like praise, glorification, worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More, glory, honor, etc.?

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Answer:

Dear friend,

Why does God lay claim to our entire life? Why should everything in our lives always be for the glory of God? These are very profound questions, and I don't want to make it easy for myself with the answer. These two questions actually belong together, but I want to answer them one by one.

Why does God have a Claim on our Entire Life?

The common starting point for both questions is that God is the creator of everything and everyone. Nothing would exist (and does exist) without Him. Everything that exists owes its existence to Him. Including you and me. This is the first reason why God has a claim on our whole life: He created all of our lives. There is no life and no right to life outside of and independent of Him. The second reason (related to this): He also sustains our life. Without Him, life would not continue to exist. These are two reasons: He is our Creator, and He is our Sustainer (1 Tim. 4:10; Heb. 1:3). Another point for you and me as believers: ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More gave His life for us and thereby purchased us (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23). He paid the price that we could not pay. Now we belong to God.

This is the answer to the question: why does God have a claim on us; it is a legal question (“claim”) and a legal answer. Perhaps this answer is a little dry, but it is important in order to understand the basis of our relationship with God.

But there are also other perspectives:

The previous answer would also apply to a craftsman or a car owner: The one has made something and it now belongs to him; the other has bought something and it now belongs to him. With God, however, there is more at play, namely two points: On the one hand, He acted out of love (and the relationship continues to exist as a love relationship), and on the other hand, He acted with an ideal, with optimal purpose and goal.

The question can therefore also be rephrased: Why should I place my entire life in God's hands? The answer would be: Because He loves you infinitely and has given everything out of this love for you. Can there be anything better, more beautiful and wiser than entrusting yourself to the one who loves you beyond measure and has already proven this to the maximum? And even more: the One who loves you so much is also omnipotent, omniscient - otherwise it would be risky to entrust yourself to Him because He might not be able to carry out His plans of love; and He only ever wants what is good for you - otherwise it would be dangerous, He could be a deceiverThe term deceiver describes someone who leads other people down the wrong path. Evil people called the Lord Jesus this (Mt 27:63) and also the apostle Paul (2 Cor 6:8).... More or a cynic. Of course, this is something you have to believe first - but wait: it is also believable, because He let His own Son die for you.

So: Why is it good and sensible and right to entrust your life to Him? Because He loves you and always wants what is good for you.

Let's do the acid test: What is the alternative? If you don't entrust your life to Him - who will? Do you want to shape it yourself? Do you really have more trust in yourself than in God? You are neither omnipotent, nor omniscient, nor good, nor perfectly loving - you don't even love yourself perfectly. Are you really the better alternative?

Why should Everything in our Lives always be done for the Glory of God?

This question can also be answered in two ways. First of all, another “legal” one: it is quite clear: God commands us to do everything for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31): “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” But now you have asked why - what is behind it, why should it be like this?

Here we can return to the question from above (Why does God own my whole life?). The above-mentioned Bible passage in 1 Corinthians 6:20 links our being bought with the call to glorify God in our bodies. “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” Because we belong to God, we should glorify Him. God the Creator has a claim on all people that they should glorify Him (Rom. 1:21): “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” The Redeemer, who paid a price which is sufficient for all people, has the same claim. This is just as the car buyer knows exactly what he wants to do with the car and can decide this all by himself as soon as it is his; and it is just as the craftsman produces his work according to his personal ideas, with a specific purpose and goal; in the same way, God, who created us and bought us, also has His goals with us. After all, He created us exactly as He wanted us to be, so that we would want to realize His good plans. And I think it is very important to remember that these plans are not only good for Him, but also for us (Rom. 8:28): “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

To “glorify” does not only mean to worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More Him with words and thoughts from the heart (Rom. 15:6): “That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More.” It refers to our whole behavior, our whole life. In Romans 12:1, Paul exhorts the Romans, through the mercies of God, to “present your bodies a living sacrificeA sacrifice/offering to God (or deities in pagan religions) that differed in occasion, purpose, and form. The most important sacrifices required by the Old Testament law include burnt offerings, grain... More, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Bodies –  the whole person, not just lips and tongue. The point is that I show qualities (behavior, attitude) in my life that correspond to what is from God and what God does in me. Glorifying God means that something of God is seen in us – His love, His graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More, His mercy, His purity, His holinessIt generally denotes something separate from the ordinary or even evil. Holiness is, above all, an attribute of God; He is glorious in holiness, He sits on his throne of... More, His righteousness, His faithfulness, His patience... (cf. 2 Cor. 3:18): “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” This is also echoed in John 15:8: “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” Or in 2 Thessalonians 1:12: “That the name of our Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More of our God and the Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More.” We are able to do this because with the new life God has also given us the desire and the ability to glorify Him (Eph. 1:5, 12).

By the way: worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More is not a detached, theoretical rite with words, but the core of it is to see ourselves in all things as small people before the mighty God, to acknowledge His omnipotence, omniscience, greatness, and glory and to praise Him for it; this ranges from the small everyday experiences to the mighty work of redemptionRedemption is part of God's plan of salvation. Redemption means that someone is freed from bondage. The redemption of Israel from the power of Pharaoh is an example of this.... More in Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More and our great future.

But there is also a second perspective here:

First of all, you may feel (possibly in conversation with someone who has not yet converted to God) that it is “bossy” or arbitrary that God can so easily rule over your life. However, you cannot make any concessions to this, because as a human being you are not allowed to call your Creator to account (Rom. 9:20).

But it is not at all the case that God would selfishly exploit His positionThe Christian position cannot be separated from Christian practice, but a distinction must be made. "Position" means how God sees us now. In the eyes of God, we are "in... More of power. With this question, too, you have to bear in mind the two overwhelming facts that God always acts out of love and that He always acts with a good plan. This is also a matter of faith; you can rely on God's Word (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 8:31; etc. – look up more such promises, they are really strengthening). And there is a double plus: firstly, a good plan. It's like the craftsman who, with a lot of thought and patience, fits a component into his work because he knows that it is “just right”. It's the same with your life plan, which God has devised. And secondly, love: it is like parents who see certain talents in their child and guide them to live them out because then they will be as happy as possible. And isn't it great, as a responsible person who has their own will, to search for God's will and then realize it, because I know exactly that my life will then succeed in the best possible way - just as the Creator has tailored it?

Dear friend, I hope that you are inwardly prepared to “simply” get involved in this brilliant plan that God has for your life, without questioning or doubting – to then have small and also great experiences with God step by step (in beautiful and also in difficult situations).