COSTLY

recently, God's been bringing the same verse to me over and over again.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

One sentence jumps out at me: You are not your own; you were bought at a price. i know this is God, challenging me to really let Him own me. to live under the authority of Jesus Christ. i've also been challenged recently by two other pieces of writing.

the first one is Quest for Love by Elisabeth Elliot. in this sequel to her book Passion and Purity (which, incidentally, if you're between the ages of 15 and 25 and you still haven't read it, read it!), she presents examples and counter-examples of people who give their lovelife over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. she explains that when we focus our eyes on God and concentrate on doing His will in purity, He will bring the right person at the right time. there is no need to scout. the part that challenges me the most is to keep my thoughts and emotions between me and God while waiting in patience. her view is that by God's design, men should be the initiators while women should be the responders. but before initiating or responding happens, both should wait on God in prayer. (if you have issues with this view, read her book).

the second thing that put 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in real-life terms for me was written by a martyr (unfortunately, i don't know his name). it speaks for itself.

A Martyr's Creed

“I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colourless dreams, tame vision, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudit, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labour by power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, back up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, stored up, and stayed up the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colours will be clear.”