SEVENSample

TITLE: I Belong To Jesus

Theme: Devotion to Christ

Song & Lyric: I Belong to Jesus (Dylan’s Song): “When it's clear the world is not my home, or if I forget it's not, May He turn my eyes upon Himself so it's Him for whom I long.”

Scriptures:

• Revelation 2:12-17 (NIV)
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

Devotional:

“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” - Revelation 2:14-15 (NIV)

I Belong To Jesus is probably the most confusing of the seven letters to the churches in Revelation. Without knowing the biblical context of the Old Testament and without at least an idea of the potential historical context of this passage, it can be difficult to decipher. But, despite these hurdles, there is a powerful and pertinent message to us in these verses. In the Old Testament book of Numbers, Balaam was unable to curse the people of God (Israel), so in order to please Balak (the King of Moab), he came up with two ways to cause Israel to stumble in their faithfulness and devotion to God: eating food sacrificed to Idols—in other words, idolatry—and sexual immorality. With this context in mind, it becomes clear that this Christian church apparently struggled with similar problems. In the first century, pagan worship was still very much a part of many people’s lives, and Jesus declares this church of having people who were still holding to practices and teaching of paganism and the occult. Jesus continues by saying, “you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans''. While it is somewhat inconclusive on the exact meaning, many scholars conclude that Nicolaitans were a sect of people who believed in conquering others. What does this all mean together? Essentially, Jesus finds fault with this church for looking exactly like the world and culture around them—no different for being Christian. As people put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, they are also called to complete devotion to Him, and the rejection of false gods, worldly beliefs and practices, and ways of thinking and living that are antithetical to Christ and the gospel. This is what Jesus is admonishing them to do: live irreversibly and completely for Him and His purposes. This is a message for us today. May we also be a people completely devoted to him; those who can pray ‘When it's clear the world is not my home or if I forget it's not, may He turn my eyes upon Himself so it's Him for whom I long’. May we always remember the mighty biblical truth that, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV). Then we will truly be able to say “I belong to Jesus.”