Joshua 12-14; I Corinthians 7

"You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." I Corinthians 7:23

As we approach Good Friday and Easter, we seem to focus more on the price that was paid for us, but really, remembering this great price is something that we should constantly bring to the front of our thinking, the 'high price' that was paid for God to purchase you and me. It says in John 3:16 that, "God so loved the world, that He gave His ONLY begotten Son." We must not take lightly the price paid for us. August, 1871, C.H. Spurgeon preached a sermon, Bought With a Price, he said "there was something inestimably precious paid for you; and ye need scarcely that I remind you that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without spot." We were not purchased or redeemed with corruptible things, as silver or gold, but with the precious, powerful blood of Jesus Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. The New Living Translation puts it this way, "God purchased you at a high price. Don't be enslaved by the world." The Greek says, "Don’t become slaves to people." Paul is writing to the Corinthian Church, reminding them to keep their priorities in order and do not become slaves to people in relationships--that living a life that is honoring to God as holy followers of Christ, we are honoring the great price that was paid on the cross. In Chapter 7, in context of marriage and family, that the best life lived is one solely given to serve God. The greatest appreciation we give to God for this great gift, is to live a holy life, a life set aside, focused on bringing glory to Him. Pastor Rick spoke about 'putting on' a new wardrobe yesterday, (if you didn't hear that message, I encourage you to listen to it this week as it really puts feet to this portion of scripture). When we take off the old man, the old ways (read Colossians 3) we are able to make way for the new work that the Lord wants to do in and through us BECAUSE of the power of what He did on the cross. We can 'supernaturally' experience tender mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, forgiveness and so much more when we are not slaves to our own selves. So today, my prayer is that we would not live as if we were our own, but as those purchased with the great price of Christ's blood and that we will glorify God in our body and our spirit, remembering we belong to Him!

Be blessed today...Carol Danna
Next Reading: Josh 15-17; I Corinthians 8