You are bought with a price: meaning

Memorise: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:15-20

In the Old Testament era, children of God brought certain sacrifices to God. They sacrificed animals and birds. These were dead sacrifices. Today, God no longer requires dead sacrifices. He demands living sacrifices. Instead of animals, He expects us to offer our bodies. It is easier to sacrifice animals. Such would only touch our ‘pockets’ not our flesh. However, offering our bodies as the sacrifice, touches our flesh. When you get to this point, you would have to give up your fleshly desires. God also demands lively praise and worship.

A dreaded notorious street fighter gave his life to Jesus. One day, he went out in the company of a few brothers for a particular task. In the course of carrying out the assignment, a man picked up a quarrel with him and immediately gave the brother a dirty slap. Then he clenched his fist ready for a fight. Passers-by who knew the brother shook their heads in sorrow knowing that the man would soon be beaten into pulp. They waited to see the brother swing into action but he only smiled and spoke peacefully with his opponent. He virtually begged him to leave. Those who knew this ex-fighter were disappointed that their lion had become a lamb.

A top-ranking satanist who was empowered to take human lives at will became a born again Christian. She began to go from place to place revealing the secrets of the dark kingdom and leading souls to Christ. One day, somebody seriously offended her. She flared up in anger seeing she could not retaliate. She quickly recalled this could not have happened while she wined and dined with Satan, or else that could have been the end of the fellow. But now, she felt caged. Yes. Caged. Are you a bonafide child of God? All members of your body have been bought over. They are no more yours. They are no more to glorify Satan but God. Your hands have been purchased from fighting and stealing. Your mouth has been purchased from gossiping, lying and immoral use. Your eyes have been bought from seeing evil. Any violation of God’s expected code of use returns you to status quo. How caged are you?

Are you becoming loose from Christ lordship? The extent to which you are ‘caged’ determines the extent to which you are born again. How ‘caged’ are you?