Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 7:23–24
Freedom always comes at a cost. Someone has to pay a heavy price for others to be set free from bondage. God had Paul write it this way in 1 Corinthians 7:23–24, “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.” God did not want the followers of Christ in Corinth to have any misunderstanding about how their freedom had occurred. God had Paul tell them that He had paid an incredibly high price for their freedom, and of course, that price was paid through the beating, crucifixion, death, and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, because Christ paid with His life, God also instructed Paul to warn all believers not to be enslaved by this world. Satan and the spiritual forces of wickedness want to enslave Christians to their past. They do not want Christians realizing the freedom we have in and through Christ. For if they can get Christians to believe the lie that they have no power to overcome their fleshly temptations, then they can keep Christians from being usable tools in the hands of our Lord. But God tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” We must walk as God called us to.
Challenge & Application
Why must we always remember the price Christ paid for our freedom?
What lies do you need to cast aside so you can walk in the fullness of the freedom Christ has provided for you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!