[If we are not our own, who do we belong to?]
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, WHO IS IN YOU, whom you have received from God? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN; YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corin. 6:19-20) [Or as it says in the KJV] “For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, WHICH ARE GOD’S.”
[We belong to our Abba Father, what price did He have to pay to become our owner?]
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This, is my body which is GIVEN FOR YOU: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise, also the cup after supper, saying, This, cup is the new testament in MY BLOOD, WHICH IS SHED FOR YOU.” (Luke 22:19-20)
“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out BLOOD and water.” (John 19:34)
[The guard suspected that our Lord was dead so, he pierced His side (Jesus legs were not broken, which was the normal custom to bring death); and, as the law in this case stated that the criminals were to continue on the cross until they died, the side of our Lord was pierced TO ASSURE the completion of the law.]
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Pet. 1:18-19)
[Why was our Abba Father willing to pay such a high price for us?]
“Through him [Jesus] you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and SO YOUR FAITH AND HOPE ARE IN GOD. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM THE HEART. For YOU HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN, not of perishable seed, but OF IMPERISHABLE, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Pet. 1:21-23)
[How important is it for us to love one another, because it demonstrates the Love of God?]
“A NEW COMMAND I GIVE YOU: Love one another. As I have loved you, so YOU MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER. By this EVERYONE WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
WE ARE BORN AGAIN OF IMPERISHABLE [everlasting] SEED!
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that:
EVERYONE WILL KNOW THAT WE ARE HIS DISCIPLES, IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
-Bill Stockham