Under New Ownership

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the holy spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NKJV

What is your thought process when you purchase something?  When I do, I'm in possesion of something that is now MINE.  Of course, if it's something important I'll hang on to the receipt just in case it's needed later, but for the most part, I now own this item.  We make thousands of these transactions each and every year.  Depending on our income level, we may buy more or we may buy less.  See, in our society, purchasing something now signifies ownership.  Then again, if we're successful enough, we may be fortunate enough to own our own business.  Once that happens, we get a entirely differnt view of buying and selling.  Sure, we'll still buy things we want and need, but now our focus is having others buy what we're selling.  I've seen plenty of businesses with "Closed" signs outside that didn't quite make it.  However, I've also seen many new businesses with a different sign of "Under New Ownership."  It's this situation that got me thinking about our relationship with Jesus.
We accept the fact that Christ died on that cross for us, but something else happened on that day.  See, when Jesus gave his very life for us on the cross, our bodies as well as his underwent a transformation.  1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that, when Christ died for our sins, we ourselves were bought and paid for with his shed blood.  What does that mean?  Well, obviously there must have been a transfer of ownership if Jesus purchased our bodies.  Who was that former owner?  Does he regret his decision and try to return to claim what was once his?  I believe that former owner of our earthly bodies was none other that satan, the "prince of the power of the air."

Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will surely not die.  "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Genesis 3: 4-5 NKJV

We've all heard the story of the fall in the garden, but this moment is important as I believe this is where satan took ownership of us.  Thus, Gods plan for our redemption were now needed.  This doesn't mean that Gods love and mercy were no longer with us because of our sin, for it was BECAUSE of Gods love and mercy that he saved us and reclaimed us for himself at the cross.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galations 2:20 NKJV

So, what was once under that former ownership, has now been purchased by the blood of Jesus!  We are no longer sinners saved by grace, but a new creation in Christ!  Does that mean our "former" owner doesn't still come around seeking entrance into what was once his?  YES, the prince of the power of the air will continue to return to try to convince us that he is still the legitimate owner.  However, as 1 Corinthians 6:19 proves to us, we've been bought at a price and we're now under new ownership!  The old owner may still return to claim what was once his, but the price for us WAS NOT paid by him but by our Lord Jesus.

~Scott~