1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 

The truth concerning our bodies in these verses is of vital importance if, as believers, we are going to live our lives with restraint and holiness.  We live in a lawless society in which anything is permissible.  Yet, in the context, Paul is preaching against the sin of fornication.  Paul states the fact of our union with Christ, "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid" (6:15).  The word "members" speaks of body parts, and as it relates to the believer we are joined together with Christ, as a husband and wife are joined together through the marriage union. Romans 7:4 declares for us, “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." Romans 12:5, "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." 

1 Corinthians 12:27, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."  Being joined to God and indwelled by the Holy Spirit is all the reason you need to live your life with restraint and holiness.  Fornication is rampant in the world, but it should not be so in the church.  The Scriptures speak of our being "bought" which is a reference to being in the market place and purchased by someone. 

We have been bought by Jesus, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot"  (1 Peter 1:18-19). The response to our being bought, being joined to Christ, and indwelled by the Holy Spirit?  To glorify God in our body, and in our spirit, which belongs to God. We need to make God glorious, and this is done as we celebrate and magnify Him in all we do, including living our lives with restraint and in holiness.

I pray you are rejoicing today because you are joined to Christ and indwelled by His Spirit.  I also pray you will live your life in holiness.  Praise be to God.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1. How would you describe today’s society?

2. Are you reckless and loose in the way you live your life, or do you live with restraint and holiness? Explain why?

3. Have you made mistakes because you failed to obey the Holy Spirit? Why do you think you ignored Him?

4. What does it mean to you to be bought with a price? Do you hold that price dear? Describe how your life has changed the most since you trusted Christ as your Savior.