We all understand the basic transaction of buying and selling. If you are selling a car, you agree on a price with a prospective buyer. You fill out all the appropriate paperwork. You sign the paperwork and exchange the money. When the transaction is complete, the original owner no longer has any rights to the car. All previous rights have been transferred to the new owner.
The transaction that relates to our salvation is of much greater consequence. First of all, we had nothing to offer God. We were His enemies, born in sin and committed to sin. Nonetheless, God was willing to pay the greatest price to redeem (purchase) us. The price was immense: the perfect life and death of His Son. He graciously gives us all that we need to become His child – both repentance and faith.
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
Acts 20:28Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
When the transaction is complete, we are no longer our own. It is our objective to live in humble submission to the One who paid the greatest price for our salvation. It is extremely important to understand that salvation is not simply the difference between going to hell or going to heaven; it is a change of ownership.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter 2:9In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:13–14…looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Titus 2:13–14
Questions to consider:
- Who is in charge of your life?
- Does your life, day in and day out, reflect God’s ownership?
It is so important the we begin each day of our lives remembering we are God’s possession. We are on this earth for God’s glory. Every action, thought and attitude should reflect the fact that we are no longer our own. We have been purchased for His glory alone!
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