1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The Salvation Transaction

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

New Revised Standard Version

Paul's writings to the church in Corinth spent so much time on the very basics, the fundamentals of leading a Godly life. It must have been frustrating for Paul to explain to the Christians in this area why, for example, it was wrong for them to have sex with prostitutes, as in the verses just proceeding this passage. No wonder Paul tells them in chapter 3 they are not yet ready for solid spiritual food, but are still young infants in their faith!

Nestled among those practical instructions on basic God-like living are these two verses that put the Christian life into such wonderful perspective.

First, we can look at Christianity as a transaction. We were purchased by God, through the sacrifice of Jesus. Often times, we think of giving ourselves completely to God, but when we're honest, we aren't very good at that! If this Christian transaction required that we give all of ourselves to God perfectly and permanently, so that only then would we receive Eternal Life in return, we would all would be found guilty of coming up shortand backsliding at some time, and no one would be saved! Instead, God completed the transaction through the person of Jesus.

Next, we can look at Christianity as a gift. Jesus bought us Eternal Life without any assurance that we would accept that gift. We, having nothing worthwhile to exchange for Eternal Life, merely have to ask for it to get it. When we receive Eternal Life, we also receive the Holy Spirit inside us, as a constant comfort and guide, as God always with us.

At the same time, this is a gift that changes our life in a way that a birthday present from a friend would not. It is no wonder that some of those rejecting Christ's gift do so because they don't want to give up their way of living. This is where the analogy of a gift falls short--in the transaction of accepting Christ as Lord, we have become the property of God, who God has promoted up from servants and slaves to adopted children. Some people would rather be their own than to be God's, not recognizing that we don't have that option. We either belong to God, or we are overcome by sinful, human behavior in its many forms. We can either choose to be God's, or we will be Satan's.

Finally, there is great comfort in the promise in these verses that we are not our own. We don't have to face difficult times with only our resources, because God is in us. We don't have to make tough decisions based on just our wisdon, because we are God's. At God's leading, we can take on any challenge, because even if we fail in human terms, God knows how to build God's Kingdom through our apparent failure. There is never any task we do that is insignificant and small, for everything we do honors God who is always with us.

Rejoice in the comfort and knowledge that you are not your own any more, but that all of you belongs to God!