Bought with a Price

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1 Corinthians 6:19-20

What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?…

1. With what ardour does the apostle pursue sin to destroy it! He is not so prudish as to let sin alone, but cries out, in plainest language, "Flee fornication!" The shame is not in the rebuke, but in the sin which calls for it. He chases this foul wickedness with arguments (ver. 18).

2. He drags it into the light of the Spirit of God (ver. 19).

3. He slays it at the Cross. "Ye are bought with a price." Let us consider this last argument, that we may find therein death for our sins.

I. A BLESSED FACT. "Ye are bought with a price."

1. "Ye are bought." This is that idea of redemption which modern heretics dare to style mercantile. Redemption is a greater source of obligation than creation or preservation. Hence it is a well-spring of holiness.

2. "With a price." This indicates the greatness of the cost. The Father gave the Son. The Son gave Himself; His happiness, glory, body, soul. Measure the price by the bloody sweat, the Cross, the heart-break.

3. Our body and spirit are both bought with the body and spirit of Jesus.

(1) This is either a fact or not. "Ye are bought," or ye are unredeemed. Terrible alternative.

(2) If a fact, it is the fact of your life. A wonder of wonders.

(3) It will remain to you eternally the grandest of all facts.

(4) It should therefore operate powerfully upon us both now and ever.

II. A PLAIN CONSEQUENCE. "Ye are not your own."

1. Negative. It is clear that if bought, ye are not your own. This involves —

(1) Privilege. You are not your own —

(a)  Provider: sheep are fed by their shepherd.

(b)  Guide: ships are steered by their pilot.

(c)  Father: children loved by parents.

(2) Responsibility. We are not our own —

(a)  To injure.

(b)  To waste, in idleness, amusement, or speculation.

(c)  To exercise caprice, and follow our own prejudices, depraved affections, wayward wills, or irregular appetites.

(d)  To lend our service to another master.

(e)  To serve self. Self is a dethroned tyrant. Jesus is a blessed husband, and we are His.

2. Positive. Your body and your spirit... are God's.

(1) We are altogether God's. Body and spirit include the whole man.

(2) We are always God's. The price once paid, we are for ever His.

(3) We rejoice that we know we are God's, for thus —

(a)  We have a beloved owner.

(b)  We pursue an honoured service.

(c)  We fill a blessed position. We are in Christ's keeping.

III. A PRACTICAL CONCLUSION. Glorify God.

1. In your body.

(1)  By cleanliness, chastity, temperance, industry, cheerfulness, self-denial, patience, &c.

(2)  In a suffering body by patience unto death.

(3)  In a working body by holy diligence.

(4)  In a worshipping body by bowing in prayer.

(5)  In a well-governed body by self-denial.

(6)  In an obedient body by doing the Lord's will with delight.

2. In your spirit. By holiness, faith, zeal, love, heavenliness, cheerfulness, fervour, humility, expectancy, &c.Conclusion:

1. Remember, O redeemed one, that —

(1) You will be closely watched by Christ's enemies.

(2) You will be expected to be more gracious than others; and rightly so, since you claim to be Christ's own.

(3) If you are not holy, the sacred name of your Redeemer, your Proprietor, and your Indweller will be compromised.

(4) But if you lead a redeemed life, your God will be honoured.

2. Let the world see what redemption can do.

3. Let the world see what sort of men "God's own" are.

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