“Bought with a Price”

Beyond religion, into the nearness of His love…

Scriptures are KJV (King James Version of the Bible).

Somewhere along the way, many of us have grown very good at “doing” Christianity, yet less involved in truly loving Jesus Christ. We attend services, sing the songs, serve in ministries, and know the right words, yet our hearts can slowly drift from the One who gave His life for us. That drifting grieves me deeply, not out of judgment, but out of love, because our relationship with Him is priceless and irreplaceable. We belong to Christ, purchased not with money, but with His life. On the cross, He bore our guilt, shame, and separation so we could be forgiven, cleansed, and welcomed into His presence. My heart aches for those who have not yet come to know Him. Faith blossoms not from duty, but from gratitude, not from fear, but from awe of the One who loved us first.

It is easy to become so focused on religion, routines, and appearances that we lose sight of relationship. Jesus did not come to establish rules. He came to reconcile us to God through His sacrifice so we might know Him, walk with Him, and be made new. From the very beginning, God’s heart has been to restore us through Jesus. Our sin separated us from Him, and no human effort could bridge the gap. So God, in His great love, sent His Son, who lived perfectly, bore our punishment on the cross, died for our sins, and rose again so that all who trust Him could have eternal life. This is the Gospel! This is the foundation of everything we believe. And sometimes, even as believers, we forget that this is not only the message that saved us, it is also the message we are called to share with others. I confess that my own heart feels a deep urgency here, because eternity is real, and I cannot bear the thought of anyone facing it without Jesus. Every time I ponder this, I feel both gratitude for what Christ has done and sorrow for those who have not yet embraced Him.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus lovingly speaks to the church in Ephesus, saying, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works” Revelation 2:4–5. These are not harsh words meant to crush us. They are the tender plea of a Savior calling His people back to Himself. Jesus is not asking for more religious activity; He is asking for our hearts. He wants us to remember the wonder of our salvation, the awe we felt when we first understood that He died for us and made us His own. I sense in these words not anger, but longing, a longing I feel for those who have drifted away without even realizing it.

Jesus also warns the church in Laodicea about being lukewarm, saying, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot, I would thou wert cold or hot, So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” Revelation 3:15–16. Lukewarm faith is not always obvious. Often, it looks like comfort, complacency, and a slow drifting away from the very Gospel that first changed us. It can look like sitting in church, knowing the Bible, and yet never truly surrendering our lives to Christ. This is what burdens me most, the thought that someone could feel spiritually safe while still being spiritually lost.

Jesus’ words are meant to awaken our hearts, not push us away. Jesus is making clear that following Him is not ultimately about outward appearance, religious habits, or long-held traditions, but about an authentic, living relationship with Him, who willingly poured out His blood for us. True faith is not measured by how well we perform or how closely we conform to religious expectations. But, by the condition of our hearts toward Christ, a posture of trust, devotion, gratitude, and surrender to the One who loved us enough to give His life so that we might know Him.

Surrendering to Jesus is not losing yourself; it is finding your true self in Him. It is not a harsh resignation or a fearful submission, but a willing opening of your heart, bringing Him your broken places, your doubts, your failures, and even your hopes and dreams, and trusting Him with them. Surrender is daily choosing to turn toward Him in prayer, allowing His Word to shape your thinking, and letting His love soften your heart toward others. It is an ongoing posture of humility that says, “Lord, I am Yours.” It is marked not by perfection, but tender responsiveness to His Spirit, a willingness to be led, corrected, healed, and transformed by the One who knows us completely and still loves us.

When we recognize our need for Jesus and place our trust in Him, the burdens we carry begin to lift. He invites us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” Matthew 11:28–30. Life’s challenges remain, but we no longer strive alone in our own strength. Resting in Christ turns effort into trust, worry into peace. When we stop trying to save ourselves and rest in what Christ has already done, His grace is enough, His presence steady, His love constant. Trusting Him brings a quiet assurance—not from what we do, but from who He is—a faithful Savior who carries us through every storm of life.

And that brings us to a profound truth we must never forget, “Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20.

To my fellow believers, I write not to condemn, but to call your heart back. If your faith feels weary, if Jesus feels distant, or if religion has replaced relationship, you are not alone. He gently calls you back to draw near and rest in His grace. To those unsure if you belong to Christ, hear this with love. Good deeds, church attendance, or knowledge of Scripture cannot save. Only Jesus can save! He knows your doubts, your fears, and your hidden sins, and still He calls you. He died so you could live, rose so you could hope, and offers life beyond this world. You were created to know Him, to be held by Him, and to dwell forever in His presence.

The Gospel is simple, yet profoundly life-changing. If you confess your sin, turn from it, and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone, you will be forgiven. You will be made new. You will be reconciled to God, not because of anything you have done, but because of what Christ has already done for you.

Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” Revelation 3:20. He is not forcing His way in. He is patiently, lovingly inviting you.

A Prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray for every heart reading these words, for those who know You and those who do not. Draw them near, awaken their hearts, and let them see the depth of Your love. Let every soul recognize that they are bought with a price and cherished beyond measure. In Your Name I pray…Amen.