The Apostle Paul speaking to the converts at Corinth said in 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, do you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Our response to this fact will determine whether or not we belong to God. We pray to the Lord to help us examine his word by the Holy Spirit.
The fate of disobedient servants
We cannot rebel against our master who has bought us for himself. To rebel against him is an act of insubordination. It is also an act of ingratitude in that but for his purchasing us for that price of the blood of Christ Jesus we would be permanently consigned to violation by the enemy. We therefore stand to lose in rebellion in that we will lose our elevated status of friendship and revert to a servant. In order to please God, we must be in good standing based on scripture. Romans 6: 23 says for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jesus also said in Matthew 7: 23 I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers. Jesus said in Matthew 25: 41 then he will say to those at his left hand, depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. In Matthew 13: 41-42, 50 Jesus said the Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Will we ignore this caution but wait at the last hour when it is too late to obey the will of the master?
Jesus said in Luke 13: 27-28 he (God) will say, I tell you, I do not know you where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity. There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. There is no reward to disobey Jesus Christ by whose blood the price of our redemption has been paid once and forever. Jesus said in Luke 10: 16 he who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me. Jesus said in John 12: 48 he who rejects me and does not receive my sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.
Our stewardship as servants
As servants who have been bought by the blood of Christ Jesus, that purchase price cannot go waste but must be accounted for. Therefore each of us will account one day for our stewardship as to how we have appropriated the blood of Jesus Christ which is heaven’s most priced currency. Jesus said in Matthew 12: 36-37 I tell you, on the Day of Judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
The Apostle Paul confirmed the demand for accountability when he said in Romans 14: 12, so each of us shall give account of himself to God. In order to render a satisfactory account of our stewardship, we must obey the scripture. Matthew 19: 17 says if you would enter life, keep the commandments. Sadly, there shall be no excuse on the day of accountability of our stewardship. Jesus said in John 14: 15, 21 if you love me, you will keep my commandments. 1 John 2: 4 says he who says I know him but disobeys his commandment is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Our accountability will therefore be based on our obedience to God’s commandments.
What God expects from us
Revelation 22: 14 says blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Our robes are our spiritual lives and they become clean only if washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. We wash them by strict obedience to him by grace through faith. In order to do this, 2 Timothy 2: 15-16 says do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more into ungodliness, and their talk will eat it away like gangrene.
We must also fellowship for Acts 2: 42 says and they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers. Hebrews 10: 23-25 say let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Whether or not we are worthy servants or friends will be determined by the state of our hearts; our walk with Christ Jesus; and our attitude towards him. 1 Corinthians 1: 9 says God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. In other words, be faithful because God who has called you into fellowship with Christ Jesus is faithful so we must emulate him. Are we on the right track in doing our master’s will? Or are we heading towards eternal destruction by rebellion?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we are worthy of praise and honour for sacrificing your blood to buy us eternal life of freedom. For abusing the privilege of life, we are sorry and apologize. Heal us of our waywardness and let our stewardship be by your Holy Spirit. We confess today that we are truly no longer our own but yours so have your way with us as may be pleasing in your sight. Instruct us and we will obey. In your holy name we pray, Amen!!
