Bought With a Price
By Minister D. Cannon, LIAC
“Ye are not your own: for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”—1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
Most Christians are familiar with the powerful phrase, “you were bought with a price.” As Christians this statement is a powerful blow to our constant notions of personal rights and privileges and reminds us quite forcefully that we belong to Christ and not to ourselves.What does it really mean to be bought with a price? When we get saved we are doing the greatest thing we can to secure our future. Do we really take inventory? Do we really count the cost?
True Christianity means we were bought with a price, paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross. We no longer belong to the world (John 15:19), but now we belong to the Lord Jesus (Rom. 14:8; Gal. 3:29; etc.). That makes us his property! We are his bride and his body. He paid for us and now we belong to him.
Living saved is the greatest decision we could ever make. When we get saved we feel like the weight of the world is lifted. Our burdens are gone and we rule. After we are saved a while the enemy (the devil), who is very subtle, will come to make us question our decision and try to get us to turn back on our decision.
Receiving Jesus Christ is the start of a process. God wants to change our character. One of the most important passages in Scripture is Romans 12:2: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The goal of this transformation is nothing less than to become like God in character (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).
The process by which God produces a changed character is not easy. It has been described in various ways. It may be compared to a sculptor, who chips away at wood or stone with hard instruments until he achieves the result he seeks. It may be compared to a jeweler who cuts and polishes until he has a beautiful gem, or to a very hot refiner’s fire which brings the impurities in molten metal to the surface so that they can be removed. Jesus compared it to a vinedresser, who prunes sharply so that the vines will bear more fruit (John 15:2).
One day I was reading 1 Samuel 29:8 in the Living Bible. It says, “What have I done to deserve this treatment?” David demanded. “Why can’t I fight your enemies?” David and his men were prepared to fight against Saul’s army but they were turned away and this was David’s response. This one statement stayed with me for years, because sometimes this is how we feel. What have I done to deserve this? After many years of growing and maturing this question came back up to me, and this time God answered. He said you have been bought with a price, you are not your own. You belong to me.
Bought with a price does not mean things will always go your way, that things will never upset you or that this is just one big rainbow journey. It means that God is in control and that we should completely yield to him. And we must recognize that he does what he sees is best for us, to get us to the desired purpose that he has for us. For us to receive everything that God has for us, we go through series of events that prepare us. That preparation equips us to fulfill purpose. When we are fulfilling purpose we find that everything else falls into place.
The bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. We must realize that we are God’s children, that we are His masterpiece and that He is in control of our life, our plans and our way.
Remember when you are going through something, God is saying: I know the plans I have for you I know just what you’re going through, but I also know what I am doing in you so relax (Philippians 4:6-7), trust me Proverbs 3:5-6), know that I will get you to the purpose I have for you.
