BOUGHT WITH A PRICE

BOUGHT WITH A PRICE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 6:20

Key Verse: "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 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Revelation 5:9; Titus 2:14

Description: Being bought with a price means that Christ has redeemed us at the cost of His precious blood, making us His own and calling us to live wholly for His glory.

INTRODUCTION

The words "ye are bought with a price" reveal one of the most profound truths about Christian redemption. Salvation was not obtained cheaply or casually. Our freedom from sin came through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us. The cross was the price paid for our redemption.

Before salvation, humanity was enslaved to sin and separated from God. But through Christ's death and resurrection, believers have been redeemed and brought into a new relationship with God. We are no longer slaves to sin, nor are we independent owners of our lives. We belong to Christ.

Understanding that we have been bought with a price should transform the way we live. We should not ask only, "What do I want?" but, "What does my Redeemer desire?" Since Christ paid the ultimate price for us, our bodies, minds, resources, relationships, gifts, and entire lives should be devoted to His glory.

1. UNDERSTAND THE PRICE THAT WAS PAID

The value of redemption can only be properly understood when we recognise the greatness of the price Christ paid for us.

a) The Price Was Christ's Blood (1 Peter 1:18-19)
We were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. His sacrifice was infinitely more valuable than anything earthly.

b) The Price Was His Life (Mark 10:45)
Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many. He willingly accepted death so that we could receive freedom and reconciliation with God.

c) The Price Was Paid At The Cross (Colossians 1:20)
Through the blood of His cross, Christ made peace and provided the way for sinful humanity to be reconciled to God.

d) The Price Reveals God's Love (Romans 5:8)
God demonstrated His love by giving Christ for us while we were still sinners. Redemption is therefore both a demonstration of God's justice and His immeasurable love.

Biblical Example: The Passover lamb in Egypt foreshadowed the redemption accomplished through Christ. Israel was protected from judgement through the blood of the lamb (Exodus 12:1-13).

2. RECOGNISE THAT YOU BELONG TO CHRIST

Redemption changes our identity and establishes a new ownership. We are no longer living merely for ourselves.

a) You Are Not Your Own (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Paul reminds believers that their bodies belong to God. Christian freedom does not mean independence from God; it means freedom to live for Him.

b) Christ Is Your Lord (Romans 10:9)
Calling Jesus Lord means submitting to His authority. His lordship should influence every area of our lives.

c) You Belong To God's Family (Ephesians 2:19)
Through Christ, we become members of God's household. Redemption gives us a new spiritual identity and belonging.

d) Live For The One Who Bought You (2 Corinthians 5:15)
Christ died so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and rose again.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus demonstrated the transformation that follows encountering Christ. His attitude towards money and possessions changed because his heart had been changed (Luke 19:1-10).

3. GLORIFY GOD WITH YOUR BODY

Paul connects redemption directly with how we use our physical bodies. Since Christ purchased us, our bodies should become instruments of His glory.

a) Your Body Is God's Temple (1 Corinthians 6:19)
The Holy Spirit dwells in the believer. This makes the body sacred and calls us to treat it with honour.

b) Flee Sexual Immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18)
Sexual purity is part of honouring God with the body. Believers must flee anything that defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit.

c) Present Your Body To God (Romans 12:1)
Our bodies should be presented as living sacrifices. Consecration means surrendering our physical lives to God's purposes.

d) Use Your Body For Righteousness (Romans 6:13)
Our physical members should be instruments of righteousness rather than instruments of sin.

Biblical Example: Joseph refused to use his body for sinful pleasure when tempted by Potiphar's wife because he understood that sin would ultimately be against God (Genesis 39:7-12).

4. LIVE A LIFE OF TOTAL SURRENDER

Being bought by Christ calls for more than verbal confession. It demands practical surrender.

a) Surrender Your Will (Luke 9:23)
Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. True discipleship involves surrendering personal control.

b) Surrender Your Plans (Proverbs 3:5-6)
We should trust God rather than relying entirely upon our own understanding. A surrendered life allows God to direct its path.

c) Surrender Your Ambitions (Philippians 3:7-8)
Paul counted his former advantages as loss for Christ. Nothing should compete with our commitment to Jesus.

d) Surrender Your Resources (Matthew 6:19-21)
Our possessions should not become our masters. Everything we have should be available for God's purposes.

Biblical Example: Abraham demonstrated extraordinary surrender when he was willing to offer Isaac in obedience to God's command, trusting God's faithfulness (Genesis 22:1-14).

5. REFUSE TO RETURN TO THE OLD LIFE

Those who have been redeemed should not deliberately return to the bondage from which Christ has delivered them.

a) Walk In Newness Of Life (Romans 6:4)
Redemption brings transformation. The believer is called to live differently because of the new life received through Christ.

b) Put Off The Old Nature (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Paul calls believers to put away the old manner of life and embrace the renewed life created according to God's righteousness.

c) Resist The Slavery Of Sin (Romans 6:12-14)
Sin should no longer reign over the believer. Grace gives us freedom to live under God's authority.

d) Remember Your New Identity (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Those who are in Christ are new creations. The old life no longer defines who they are.

Biblical Example: The Israelites were delivered from Egyptian slavery, but they were expected to leave Egypt behind and journey towards the land God had promised them (Exodus 14:13-22).

6. LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF YOUR REDEEMER

The proper response to redemption is a life that consistently brings glory to Christ.

a) Glorify God In Everything (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Every aspect of life can become an expression of worship when it is done for God's glory.

b) Serve Christ Faithfully (Colossians 3:23-24)
Our work and service should be offered wholeheartedly because we ultimately serve the Lord.

c) Bear Fruit For God (John 15:8)
A redeemed life should produce spiritual fruit. Fruitfulness demonstrates that our lives are connected to Christ.

d) Remain Faithful Until The End (Revelation 2:10)
Redemption calls us into a lifelong journey of faithfulness. We must remain committed to Christ until the end.

Biblical Example: Paul considered his life secondary to completing the ministry he had received from Christ. His desire was to finish his course faithfully (Acts 20:24).

CONCLUSION

You were bought with a price, and that price was the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Your redemption was not achieved through silver, gold, good works, human effort, or religious achievement. Christ willingly gave Himself so that you could be forgiven, reconciled to God, and brought into His family.

Therefore, live as one who belongs to Christ. Glorify God with your body, surrender your will and resources to Him, reject the old life, pursue holiness, and faithfully fulfil your divine assignment. The One who paid the price deserves your whole life.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, help me to appreciate deeply the precious price Jesus Christ paid for my redemption, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, let the power of the cross continually remind me that I belong completely to You, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from every desire and habit that contradicts my identity as one redeemed by Christ, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to glorify You with my body, mind, words, relationships, resources, and every area of my life, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to surrender my will, plans, ambitions, possessions, and future completely into Your hands, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, break every remaining chain of sin and deliver me from anything that seeks to return me to my former way of life, in Jesus name.

7. Father, make my life fruitful and useful in Your kingdom, and let everything You have entrusted to me serve Your purposes, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me grace to remain faithful to You when obedience becomes difficult, costly, or inconvenient, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my life become a clear testimony of the transforming power of the redemption I have received through Christ, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to live every remaining day for Your glory and finish my earthly assignment faithfully, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall continually understand the value of the price Christ paid for your redemption, and gratitude for His sacrifice shall shape the way you live.

2. You shall walk in the consciousness that you belong to Jesus Christ, and no power shall successfully pull you away from His lordship over your life.

3. Every chain of sin, bondage, and destructive habit that seeks to contradict your redeemed identity shall be broken by the power of God.

4. Your body, mind, abilities, resources, relationships, and opportunities shall become instruments through which God is glorified.

5. You shall receive grace to surrender your plans, ambitions, desires, possessions, and future to the perfect will of your Redeemer.

6. You shall not return to the bondage from which Christ has delivered you; you shall walk continually in the liberty and newness of life that are found in Him.

7. The Lord shall make your life fruitful, useful, and effective in His kingdom, and the gifts He has placed within you shall fulfil their divine purpose.

8. When difficult seasons come, you shall remain faithful to Christ, and your commitment to Him shall not be weakened by pressure, persecution, disappointment, or delay.

9. Your life shall become a powerful testimony of God's redeeming grace, and many people shall see Christ through your character, conduct, service, and faithfulness.

10. You shall finish your earthly assignment with honour, and when your journey is complete, your life shall testify that the One who bought you with His precious blood was faithfully served and glorified.