Redeemed

"For you have been bought with a price;
therefore glorify God in your body."
1 Corinthians 6:20

When you go to the grocery store and "redeem" a coupon, you have traded something of value for something else.  To redeem something is to pay a price for it, to clear something by payment.  Jesus redeemed us on the cross.  He bought us, paid for us, cleared us with the payment of His blood.  We are redeemed as believers.  And there is a no return policy!

Because we have been bought with a price, we are to glorify God in our bodies.  Freedom in Christ is not freedom from authority or rule.  It is freedom from sin and freedom to holy living and a relationship with God.  The world does see this as freedom and chooses to stay chained to their sins and the Father of lies.  But what freedom it is!  Free to know that you are loved!  Free to choose to live holy and clean before God! Free to hope for eternity!  Free to share your hope with others! 

How do we glorify God in our bodies?  We are to be a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1).  We are to allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives instead of ourselves.  This means putting every decision, every relationship, every thought under His control.  Of course, we can only do this because God is good and wants good for us.  That does not mean bad things will happen because we live in the world and Satan is the Lord here.  By following Christ, you are setting yourself up against the prince of this age.  Bad things happen, but Jesus will be there with you in the midst and He will give you joy in the midst.

You have been bought.  You belong to Another.  Live that way!