Living And Dying For The Lord Romans 14:8 Series

Living and Dying for the Lord

Introduction:

Today, we will explore a profound truth encapsulated in Romans 14:8 (NLT), which states: "If we live, it’s to honour the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honour the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." This verse holds the key to understanding the Christian life—our purpose, our identity, and our destiny. It calls us to a life fully surrendered to God, where every moment, whether in life or in death, is dedicated to honouring Him.

Let us dive into three essential truths derived from this verse that can transform our perspective and the way we live our lives.

I. We Live to Honour the Lord

Romans 14:8 begins with a clear declaration: "If we live, it’s to honour the Lord." The word "honour" in Greek, doxazo, means to glorify or to give honour to. This speaks to a life that reflects God’s character, purpose, and glory in every action, thought, and word. The focus of our lives should not be on self-gratification but on glorifying God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) supports this, saying, "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." This verse reminds us that even the mundane aspects of our lives are opportunities to honour God. Every decision, every interaction, is an act of worship when done for His glory.

Imagine a light bulb that only shines when connected to its power source. In the same way, our lives are meant to shine God’s light, but we can only do so when we remain connected to Him—living for His honour.

Ask yourself: Are my daily actions, choices, and relationships glorifying God? How can I align my life more closely with His purposes?

II. We Die to Honour the Lord

The second part of Romans 14:8 states: "If we die, it’s to honour the Lord." This phrase may seem paradoxical, but it carries deep meaning. In life and in death, we belong to the Lord. Our death is not an end but a continuation of our worship and devotion to God.

Philippians 1:21 (NLT) echoes this sentiment: "For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better." Paul understood that even in death, we bring glory to God by trusting in His sovereignty and believing in the hope of eternal life.

The Greek word for "belong" here is kyrios, meaning we are the Lord's possession, His servants, and His children. Whether in life or death, we are under His lordship, and this reality should bring us peace and purpose.

Consider the life of a faithful servant who dedicates every moment to serving their master. Even in death, their legacy honours the one they served. So it is with us; our lives and deaths are testimonies to our commitment to Christ.

How does the reality of death impact your life today? Are you living with the assurance that, in life and death, you are the Lord’s? This assurance should free us from fear and empower us to live boldly for Him.

III. We Belong to the Lord

The final declaration of Romans 14:8 is both comforting and empowering: "So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." This truth affirms our identity and security in Christ. We are His—nothing can separate us from His love and lordship.

Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) reinforces this promise: "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love." This is a powerful assurance that we are always in God’s care, no matter what.

The word "belong" indicates ownership, signifying that we are not our own; we are God’s treasured possession. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT), Paul reminds us: "You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body." Our lives are not our own; they are a gift to be stewarded for His glory.

Think of a precious heirloom passed down through generations. It is cherished, protected, and valued. Similarly, we are God’s treasured possessions, valued beyond measure, and our lives are to reflect His ownership.

Do you live with the awareness that you belong to the Lord? How does this truth influence your decisions, your relationships, and your purpose? Knowing that you are God’s should inspire you to live with confidence, knowing that He is with you in every situation.

Conclusion:

Romans 14:8 challenges us to live with a Christ-centred perspective. Whether in life or death, our purpose is to honour the Lord. We belong to Him, and this truth gives our lives meaning, direction, and hope.