Ye Were Bought With a Price - Part 962

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ..." (II Corinthians 10:5)

Why? Because we were bought with a hefty price -- the shedding of our Lord God and Saviour's precious holy blood -- so that we could be redeemed and rest in His everlasting arms forever. This is why then we are almost commanded NOT to be/become servants of men.

"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." (I Corinthians 7:23)

This explains why the New Testament (or new covenant) stands in clear opposition to those who might present a "different" or even worse, yet "another gospel" from that which the apostles preached. The apostles' doctrine, in which we are instructed to remain steadfast, standing fast in His liberty, wherewith Christ has made us free. (Acts 2:42; Galatians 5:1) What does the apostles' doctrine include?

First, recognizing that the Word that was in the beginning with God, and was God, was the very same Word that was in the world bringing forth all that is seen and unseen. (John 1:1-18) "In the beginning, God." (Genesis 1:1) "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... the same was in the beginning with God ... He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not ... and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." (John 1:1-18)

Second, understanding that Matthew 28:19 was changed by the Roman Catholic Church in 385 AD, and therefore, the scriptural rendering we quote for baptism is not the original commandment given to men. Rather, we are to align with the instructions given on the day of Pentecost. Therein, the people, when they were pricked in their heart asked Peter and the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37)

Then Peter, standing with the apostles said unto them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost ... for the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-39)

Third, we are to study the scriptures -- His Word -- to show ourselves approved, such as a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15) Paul wrote, "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus -- that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us ..." (II Timothy 1:13-14)

Fourth, we need to become effectual in our communications regarding our faith because the harvest is ripe. "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." (Philemon 1:6; Luke 10:2)

Fifth, stand in the offering plate. Not with your money (or tithes as the religious culture commands) but instead worshiping Jesus with all your heart, mind, soul and strength -- so that every single thing you do (in both word or deed) may be completed in the precious name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. (Colossians 3:17)

Sixth, remember that "the husbandmen that labours must be first partaker of the fruits." (II Timothy 2:6)  So, what are the fruits? "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the Law ... but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance -- against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts [because] if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another ... [but rather] bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 5:18- Galatians 6:2)

Seventh, remember that when Jesus is Lord in our life, we should willingly desire to become ministers of the good news gospel to one another. "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." (II Corinthians 4:5) 

"And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (II Corinthians 5:18-20)

Eighth, do not be deceived by false prophets, seeking to devour both you and your spiritual inheritance. "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 1:4)

Finally, know that Jesus loves us beyond measure, and wants to not only make us co-heirs with Him but also to bless us with His kingdom. "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ -- no man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of life -- that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (II Timothy 2:1-4)

Stand in His offering plate.