Drip. Drip. Drip.

You hear that? That is the sound of the Savior’s blood that was shed for you. Almost two thousand years ago, one Man suffered injustice, wrong, and wrath – and not for anything He had done. No, it was entirely because of what we had done. Our sin and the wrath of God against our sin was borne entirely by Jesus Christ. He purchased us as a people for God’s own possession.

So the Scriptures tell us clearly. We are not free. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20a tells us “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” To be a temple means you are holy and set apart for no other purpose than to the service of God. That is why Paul follows by saying pointedly “You are not your own.” You are not free. There was a cost paid for your whole being and you are not permitted to do what you will with yourself.

If you are a Christian, you will recall that before God saved you, you were a slave to your sins, a slave to the power of the Enemy. Then Jesus came into your life and liberated you from that mastery. But it wasn’t simple redemption. No, in fact, Colossians 1:13-14 tells us that “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” You were freed from one master, to be enslaved to Another.

Too often have we Christians valued personal “liberty” and “right” in the last four hundred years. You will not find any statement of inalienable rights in the Word of God. I tried to find one, once upon a time. And to my patriotic, American heart, it was quite a disappointment. God began to teach me, though, that I had sinned. I tried to have two loyalties to two different kingdoms…I had fallen for the myth that we can be sworn in service to “God and country.” As we know from Exodus, the God of redemption is a jealous God and He doesn’t take well to partners.

Americans speak a lot about the persecution of global Christians…and so often with regret and sadness in their voices. Why? Acts 5:41 tells us that the apostles were “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Many of our brothers and sisters worldwide – in parts of Africa, China, Pakistan, India, the Pacific islands, and other places rejoice in their sufferings, because it validates, confirms and strengthens their faith and reliance on God. Not only this, but they pray that we would share in their sufferings. I’ve heard from a number of missionaries that these global Christians pray that persecution and suffering would come to us…and these are prayers that come out of their love for us and care for our souls. They want our souls to shine purely and brightly for the sake of the name of Jesus, and have no other names exalted in our lives.

I challenge you, brothers and sisters, to consider the sufferings of Christ. Love them. Love Jesus. Love His Church. But do not love the kingdoms of this world. They are given for a time, and are not the Kingdom of God. But are warned sternly from heaven by the Son: “Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” In the history of kingdoms, no king has taken refuge in the Son…and no man, taking refuge in the Son, will long maintain his rulership. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)