"For Ye Are Bought With A Price"
We usually understand the value of a thing by its cost. The salvation of the souls of men was not without cost. Perhaps we all would be more faithful if we would keep before us the price which was paid for our sins.
Paul told the Corinthians, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Cor. 6:20). Again he put it this way, "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men" (I Cor. 7:23).
Who Is The "Ye" In This Passage?
Not everyone has been bought. A person is not bought until he meets the terms of the one which paid the price. We must understand who "ye" is to know who has been bought. The "ye" in these passages were the Corinthians. Who then were these Corinthians? These Corinthians were members of the church. Paul wrote them thusly, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth" (I Cor. 1:2). These were sanctified people. ". . . even them that are sanctified. . ." (I Cor. 1:2). They had been sanctified by the word of God, (Jn. 17:17). They were in Christ. ". . . in Christ Jesus . . ." (I Cor. 1:2). Men are baptized into Christ. (Gal. 3:27). They were saints. These people had obeyed the gospel of Christ. ". . . and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized" (Acts 18:8).
"Are Bought With A Price."
To be bought is to be redeemed. Peter said, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Pet. 1:18-19). God paid the price of giving his Son and the Son paid the price with his own blood. Paul said, ". . . feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).
"Be Not The Ye The Servants Of Men"
Christians belong to the Lord and must not be the servants of men. Paul told the Romans, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servant to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Rom. 6:16)? Thus when the Corinthians obeyed the Lord and his teachings, they were obligated to serve Him and not man. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24).
"Glorify God In Your Body And Spirit"
Since Christians have been bought with a price, belong to the Lord and are responsible for serving Him, they must glorify God. Paul told the Ephesians, "Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, 'world without end. Amen" (Eph. 3:21). One of the purposes of a Christian is to glorify God. Peter said, "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (I Pet. 4:16). Let's not forget that we have been bought with a price.
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