GALATIANS 1:15

“But when He who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace was pleased”

When I bought my first house in Florida in 1997, one thing I was given was a site plan for my house and property. There were clear boundary markers that showed where my property ended. At my second house, I had to search until I found those boundary stakes which were hidden by a lot of lush, tropical plants. My properties were both “set apart” by those makers. They established that property as mine. It belonged to me.

The word Paul uses in today’s verse for “set apart” is the Greek word, aphorizo. Using the same definition for my property boundaries, apply that here. That’s what the word means. God had set Paul apart. He had marked Paul as His possession. God had essentially driven the boundary stake in the ground declaring Paul was His and would always be.

APPLICATION

The devil owns us all until we give our lives to Jesus. He has us right where he wants us – in his stomping grounds. But when we surrender to Jesus, God claims those grounds. Every scare inch of you belongs to Him. 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 tell us, “16 Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,’ says the Lord. ‘AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.’”

Paul is quoting from Isaiah 3:11. The message is clear. Be separate from the world. Drive down some distinct boundaries. Don’t blur the lines. You know, even though we have to live in this world, we don’t have to live like the world. If you are a believer, you belong to Jesus. Live like it. Stay set apart.

Thank You, Lord, for driving down those boundary markers in my heart so that I know that I belong to You.