Some people, when trying to explain the concept of salvation, use the illustration of a drowning man who was rescued by pulling him out to safety with a lifeline. That’s a misrepresentation of the salvation Jesus brought. A better illustration would be that the man had been condemned to death by drowning for his wrong. He’d been gagged, bound hand-and-foot, and about to be thrown into the raging sea. Then Jesus comes and says, “Don’t kill him; I’ll take his place and drown in his stead.” Jesus didn’t just throw him a lifeline, or send in divers, or swim the treacherous waters to drag him out to safety. No, He took his place of condemnation and drowned (died) in his stead!

 

That’s the right perspective of the salvation Christ purchased for us with His own blood. So when you talk about Jesus saving you, you’re not taking about someone who delivered you from trouble. No, He saved you by giving His life for you.

 

The salvation we have in Christ is serious business; Jesus paid a huge price by giving Himself in our place so we could go free. You therefore can't afford to live life the way you choose anymore, for a price has been paid; you’ve been bought. Now you belong to Him and not yourself.

 

Many years ago, a Chinese brother was traveling on the same train with three gentlemen who wanted to play a game. They required a fourth person to play with them, so they asked him to join in. “I’m sorry,” he replied. “I didn’t come with my hands.” The men stared at him in astonishment because to them, he seemed complete, yet, he said he didn’t come with his hands. “What about these ones?” they asked. Then he replied, “They’re not mine; they belong to Jesus because He bought me with a price. Now I only use them for the things He wants done.”

 

The Bible says you’re not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19). If you’re born again, you’ve been bought with a price and now you ought to live for the Lord, and follow His choices for you.