Come In Dead Last

"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” (Ro 14:7 AV)

The next verse tells us to whom we live and die.  That would be God Himself.  The context is issues of liberty; in particular, the eating or not eating of meat once offered unto idols.  In the first century, animals were offered to pagan gods as part of a feast.  The leftovers were sold in the market.  There were both Jews and Gentiles alike who would not purchase or consume meat that was left over from a pagan worship gathering.  They felt once it was offered, even if not consumed, was defiled.  Others, who were not as sensitive in conscience took the liberty to purchase discounted meat and consume it.  Paul renders no judgment on the choice itself, but rather, on the effect the choice might have on others.  Chapter fifteen, verse one gives us the answer.  Those not offended by the practice should honor the conscience of those who might be offended and not partake.  The explanation is in the verse above.  A believer is not to live unto his or herself.  They are to live unto God and by extension, live for others.  What we want or what we think matters little if it offends someone else who, for conscience sale, cannot partake.  Rather than dwell on the specific application found in Romans chapter fourteen, I would like to consider the overriding principle.  That is, whether we live or die, we do not do so for Self.  We live and die for God first, and others, second.

As a child, our school would often go on a picnic toward the end of the school year.  It was often the last day of school before summer started.  The park to which we went was usually within walking distance.  When the picnic was complete, we were welcome to walk home from the park.  Those of us who rode our bikes to school walked back with the class and rode home from school.  The picnic was filled with fun activities.  We played park games for hours.  We played kickball, racing games, and the occasional three-legged race.  But the one game that always ended the picnic was tug-o-war.  Everyone is familiar with this game.  The class is split up into teams.  A rope was laid on the ground.  A bandana was tied in the center.  The object was for your team to pull the other team over to your side.  The competition ended when the bandana crossed your team line.  There was always the token anchor person.  Usually, it was a boy who was obviously much larger than the rest of his class.  The thing about this competition is that total commitment to the goal and one’s team was essential.  No one could be out for themselves.  The more coordinated the team, the more they won.  The closer each individual was to the one in front and behind him, the greater the concentrated effort to pull.  This meant we moved the same way.  Right foot with right foot.  Left foot with left foot.  The less slack between two people meant they were pulling as one.  The individual had to lose himself to the greater good.

This is the understanding of the above verse.  We are not our own.  We belong to the One who bled and died for our sins.  Therefore, when we make choices, it should be for the benefit of others and the glory of God.  What we want does not matter.  What God wants and what others need does.  This way of thinking is contrary to our human nature and to our cultural influence.  Our society is becoming more and more self-centered.  A day doesn’t go by that we don’t hear of some tragedy of an exchange gone bad.  Many times, it is petty.  Two days ago, a fast food restaurant was emptied because two people got into an argument and one person was seen with a firearm.  There was also a stabbing that was in the news over a condiment choice.  Violence is almost epidemic.  Why? Because people live and die unto themselves.  The believer should be different.  The child of God knows his or her life belongs to God and is for the service of God and others.