YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE

 “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase”

Anyone who purchases a product with his or her hard-earned money likes to value and protect that product, and in addition, expects that product to perform as specified by the manufacturer. For example, how would one feel if one spent thousands of dollars buying a car that regularly broke down and left one stranded day after day? I am very sure one would be very disappointed and frustrated, and one might even return the car to the dealer.

In the same way, God gave His one and only Son to die to pay for the sins of the world, and He expects those whom He purchased to live and function in a certain way. The apostle Paul wrote to the Church of Corinth about sexual immorality in the Church (i.e. among Christians). He told them, “Flee from sexual immorality” and then reminded them, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20 NIV84). Since we've been bought, we have a Master to obey; we can’t live just any old way.

It cost God the life of His Son Jesus to free us from sin. The expression, “at a price” is an indication that our salvation was very expensive. Because of that, God does not take sin lightly. Why should Jesus give His life if we continue to live in sin? When He said, “You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be mine” (Leviticus 20:26 NIV84), it was not a suggestion; it was a command. He bought us, He owns us, and He has the right to demand that we live up to His standard. He deserves our admiration, obedience, and honor!

Which sin do you struggle with? Is it fornication, extramarital affairs, lying, gossip, or something else? It is not too late to turn your life around. God is ready to enable you to turn your life in the right direction, but you must be willing to identify the sin and flee from it. You must want to change. Before Jesus ascended into heaven He said to His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in …” (Acts 1:8 NIV84). Our witness includes our way of life. We received the power that gives us victory over sin when we came to faith in Jesus, because that is when the Holy Spirit came to indwell us. That victory makes the testimony of our lives powerful.

There are many who say that God is love and will forgive, and that is true. But Scripture asks, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase” (Romans 6:1 NIV84)? The answer of course is, “By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer” (Romans 6:2 NIV84). Let’s not take His grace for granted.

Our faith becomes questionable when we continue to live in sin. Scripture says, “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin” (1 John 5:18 NIV84). In other words, continuing to sin is an indication that one has not been born of God. Ouch! May our way of life match the truth of God’s Word and serve as proof that we were bought at a price!