You were bought with a price

"For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:20
"For you have been bought with a price, do not become slaves of men." 1 Corinthians 7:23

Agorazo in Greek (use a long o) is used of frequenting the marketplace and making a purchase, just as we would at the grocery store and the clothing store. Interestingly enough, this term is used in parables by Christ in Matthew, talking about fine pearls and treasures, and what astute people do to acquire them.

Paul is making a point in this epistle to ensure his readers understand the purchase from the adversary that Christ gave to them (as well as us). We were purchased with the blood of Christ (Revelations 1:5), and we were given the Holy Spirit to indwell in us (Ezekiel 37:3). We are told two things within a very short time frame from Paul. Glorify God and do not become slaves to men. After all, our bodies are the temples (residing places) of the Holy Spirit! Man can not control God, so do not let yourself be controlled by men ... the Holy Spirit will cleanse you, or put you in situations that will correct you. God will not be mocked.

In times like today, it becomes increasingly difficult to not be controlled by society, economics, technology or sensual pleasures. We carry the LORD in our bodies, so we should be a beast of burden, nobly carrying our LORD like a warhorse into battle! We have been bought with a price, let us reflect the nobility of housing a fine pearl and treasure for our God!

Read Psalm 74:2; Matthew 13:44-46, 20:28; Ephesians 1:13-14; and 1 Peter 1:18-19 for more illumination

Fruit of the Spirit

"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

I attended a company retreat where we were all instructed to right a mission statement. Many people chose to seek fortune, a good life, success in their achievements ... worldly ambition with good intentions. In one of the most fortunate moves in my life, I chose to seek the fruit of the Spirit as my mission statement, my goal. I haven't always achieved this goal ... hamartia in Greek (missing the mark, or sin)... but it is the goal that brings me back to my faith and the truth life has to offer to those that believe Christ is our Savior. The Holy Spirit leads us into bearing this fruit into not only our lives, but the lives of people we touch. We all have the capacity to let the Holy Spirit dwell in us to bear this fruit!

I encourage each of you to write a mission statement and put it on your wall. Every day, look at it. Be inspired by it ... be sure to make it a statement that will help you focus on Christ, the Anointed One, as your advocate and deliverer! As David mentions in the Psalms, we have a loving and faithful God who loves us; He is our Good Sheperd, our Rock and our Provider!

Read Psalms 23 and 2 Corinthians 6:6, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:12-17 for more illumination.

Protected by the Power of God

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5

What a powerful message Peter shares with us! Our Father's great mercy gave us new life with hope! We have an inheritance (the Holy Spirit being the deposit, living and dwelling in us) and we have reseverations in Heaven!!! The Adversary wants to attack the confidence and trust we have in God. We all fall short of perfection ... we sin (hamartia in Greek), so it is easy to buy into the lie that we aren't good enough to have such a love given to us!

The power (dunamis in Greek) we have, the authority (exousia in Greek) we have ... these are to help us mature in Christ to be powerful soldiers for Christ! God is doing the work in our lives ... no matter what the circumstances. We can't allow circumstances (seeking riches, being poor, society's influences, institutions, entertainment, pleasure) dictate how we feel aout loving and seeking our God; we must know He is making all things work together for our good, to those who love Him!

The Messiah has risen! If you have doubts about His role in your life, ask Him for understanding. He promises to fill us and help us to become one with Him, just as He is one with our Father!

Read Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:3 and 4:7-8, Romans 11:29, 2 Corinthians 5:5 for more illumination.