you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body 1 Cor 6:19,20

There’s a lot around of what Dietrich and Bonhoeffer used to call “cheap grace.” The idea, in some circles, is that because Christ has paid the price for all of our sin, then it really doesn’t matter what we do. In other words we can do what we like and it’s all covered by the blood. But the New Testament does not teach this, not at all! In the title of our post today, Paul tells us very clearly that we are not our own. What does he mean by this? Well he goes on to say that we are bought with a price, in fact we are bought with the blood of Jesus Christ through his sacrificial death on the cross. Paul goes on to say therefore glorify God in your body.

In Romans 12:1 he tells us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice holy, and acceptable to God. This is our reasonable service. In other words the only reasonable response to the tender mercies of God is absolute surrender. So the question we need to ask ourselves, is does my conduct glorify God?

There’s a story in C.S. Forrester’s Hornblower series that illustrates this well. At this point Hornblower was a sea captain tasked with the recovery of gold from a sunken galleon. Since the water was deep the task had required the help of a Philippian diver who, because they had dived for pearls, had learned to hold their breath for up to 5 minutes. But on board was a hot tempered surgeon, and he and Philippian diver had got into an argument and the surgeon had challenged the Philippian diver to a duel. Long story short, the surgeon had shot the Philippine diver, who was in danger of dying, and thus imperilling the whole operation.

Hornblower of course was furious, and he told the surgeon “If this man dies you will die too.” Several days later the surgeon knocks on Hornblower’s door and tells him that he needs to take the bullet from the diver if he had any chance at all of living. Hornblower repeated his threat, and trembling the surgeon asked to be released from it. “Sir”, he said “if you do not, then at the moment I am performing the surgery, my hand may tremble remembering your threat. So what you intend to make me do my best, could actually lead to my undoing.” Hornblower in his wisdom released the surgeon from his threat and of course everything turned out well.

So the question to ask is “would it be reasonable for the surgeon to have a lackadaisical attitude to performing his task?” Of course not, if nothing else out of gratitude he should give his best performance. But this is precisely what Paul is telling us to do.

Father, please let me never, never take for granted the incredible sacrifice of your Son on the cross. Father please forgive me for the times that I have given less than my all for You, and for Your Kingdom. Help me father to glorify you in my body. In Jesus name. Amen.