Pot and Torch

I’d like to speak this afternoon on two lines of truth that run through the New Testament Scriptures that are a result of Christ’s work on the cross — purchase and redemption. Scripture makes an important difference between “bought” (purchase) and “redeemed,” and I want to point that out, with the Lord’s help.

Mr. Kelly said that these two things have been so thoroughly confounded in the minds of Christians that it has led to all kinds of error. It is important, therefore, to understand that difference between them, because otherwise we could run into seriously bad doctrine — such as teh denial of the believer’s eternal security. It only confirms the fact that we need to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

Since, as Mr. Darby put it, “we can’t hunt tow hares at one time,” we’ll look at the subject of purchase first, and then, compare it with redemption.

Let’s turn first of all to Matthew 13:44. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a filed; teh which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” This parable opens up to us the universal effects of the great purchase that Christ mad eon the cross. “the “man” here, is the Lord Jesus Christ. And we are told in verse 38, “the field is the world.” The “treasure” is believers that the Lord puts a great value on. The buying of the field refers to His purchase of the whole world, and all persons in it.

The point of this parable in Matthew 13 is that the scope of things purchased or bought by Christ extends to all persons and all things. it has been called teh two-fold circle of Christ’s belongings.

It is important to see that Christ’s purchase on the cross covers more than just persons; it also includes all things. Purchase (bought) is the broadest aspect of Christ’s work. Hebrews 2:9 confirms this, saying, “…so that by the grace of God He should taste death for every thing” (J.N. Darby Translation). notice it doesn’t say “…for every man,” (as the KJV erroneously has it) which would make it too narrow. “Every thing” covers all persons and all things.

Firstly, His purchase was for all persons. He now has title and right over all flesh. John 17:2 says, “thou has given Him power over all flesh.” (Some might object to the use of this verse because John 17:2 was uttered before Christ went to the cross. However, John’s gospel, which emphasizes the deity of Christ, views Him as God living in the eternal present, outside of time. Thus, He prays as though the work He was about to do on the cross was already done — i.e. vs. 4.) “All flesh” is extensive — covering all men, saved or lost. This mean that every person, whether they own the purchase or not, has been “bought” by the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore, belongs to Him.

Secondly, his purchase was for all things. Ephesians 1:14 says, “…the purchased possession.” the context of this verse in Ephesians indicates that the “purchased possession” is the inheritance, which is every created thing. Christ has purchased the title and right to that as well. Hence, the effect of the purchase that Christ made is not only over all flesh, but extends to all things. It is universal.

A type from the book of Ruth illustrates this two-fold circle of Christ’s belongings. Naomi sold a parcel of land that belonged to her husband Elimelech who had passed away (Ruth 4:3). Since Boaz, who is a type of Christ, desired to have Ruth as his wife, he had to buy that portion of the inheritance which would give him all in it, including Ruth. “Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, thatI have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife” (Ruth 4:9-10). He bought the field which included a person — Ruth.

Now let’s turn to Revelations 5:9, “And they sing a new song, saying, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and has bought to God by Thy blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (W. Kelly’s translation). We learn from this verse that the purchase was made by the “blood” of Christ. Not to digress from our subject, but in this chapter the elders in heaven are singing about those on earth that were purchased or bought. They are not singing about themselves, which is why the word “us” in the KJV should not e in the text as J.N. Darby’s and W. Kelly’s translations indicate. Verse 10 says, “…made them (not “us”) to our God King’s and priests,” because it is speaking of those on the earth. It also says, “…and they (not “we”) shall reign over the earth.” This, again, is referring to the Tribulation saints that will be preserved to enter the Millennial Kingdom of Christ. They will reign “over” the earth, but will be on the earth when they do it. They reign “over” the earth in the sense of rule. The verse has nothing to do with the saints in heaven reigning over the earth, as commonly thought. It is not speaking of the heavenly saints, but of the earthly saints. At any rate, the point I want to focus on here is that the purchase is by the “blood” of Christ. It refers to the price He paid.

Now let’s turn to 2 peter 2:1, “But here were false prophets also among the people, as there shall be also among you false teachers, who shall bring in by the bye destructive heresies, and deny the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (J.N. Darby Translation). Peter warned the saints of the rise of false teachers in the Christian profession. He says that just like there were false prophets in Old Testament times, there would be false teachers in the profession Church. They would bring in “damnable heresies” and would attract a large following — “Many shall follow their pernicious ways.” A heresy is a visible outward split among the people of God. It is the make a party among the saints that splits off from the rest. Most people think heresy is bad doctrine, because bad doctrine is usually associated with a heresy. A “damnable” heresy is a party that rallies around soul damning doctrines, which is a very serious thing indeed.

The point I want you to see here is that these people were “bought,” yet they ended up in a lost eternity! This shows that being “bought” does not mean that they were saved. These false teachers (mere professors) denied “the Lord” or the “master” that “bought” them, and brought upon themselves “destruction.” They masqueraded as teachers, but they didn’t have any real faith! As a result of denying Christ’s purchase they would pass on into everlasting judgment. We see this same class of persons in Jude 4; “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God (”Master” — N.N. Darby Trans._, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now if “bought” means to be saved, as many Christians think, then these people lost their salvation! We know that that could not be so because it would deny a cardinal truth concerning Christ’s work — the believer’s eternal security. This is an example of why we need to understand the distinction between bought and redeemed, for without it we could get into seriously bad doctrine.

We learn from these verses that as a result of Christ’ purchase, there has been a change of masters. All persons now belong to the Lord on the grounds of His purchase. He is their “master.” Hence, purchase (bought) involves a change of ownership — a change of master. Christ being their Master by virtue of His purchase does not mean that He is their Saviour!

There is a danger of slipping into using such terms synonymously, and the truth being lost. we’ve often heard a well-meaning Christian as a stranger, “do you belong to the Lord Jesus?” The Scriptural answer is (whether they are saved or not) “Yes!” Saved or lost, all persons belong to the Lord Jesus. Of course, we know what is meant. They are really asking if the person has, in faith, owned the purchase that Christ has made on the cross. We’ve alos heard people say such things as, “I met a man the other day who was the Lord’s…” Well, what do they mean? Every man that you meet is the Lord’s! They are all His by the right of the purchase that He made at the cross. I remember a brother spoke up in a (reading) meeting not too far from here, and made the comment, “We’ve all been “purchased” by the blood, haven’t we?” He said that because he thought that everyone present was saved. but he didn’t know that someone had brought an unsaved person along to the meeting that day. If he had known that, he probably wouldn’t have said that. I leaned over to my wife and said, “Little does that man know how right his statement is.” Even that unbeliever in the room was “purchased” by the Lord Jesus! I mention these things, not to find fault with well-meaning Christians, but to show how we can so easily slip into misuse of Scriptural terms.

Now let’s turn to Ephesians 1, and verses 13-14, “In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which (Who) is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.” The apostle Paul is speaking here about the two-fold work of the Spirit — the seal and the earnest. Both things are ours when the Spirit comes to dwell in us, which happens when we believe the gospel of our salvation. The seal is to give us to know that we are His property; the earnest is to give us to know that we have property — the inheritance, and to help us to enjoy our portion in Christ.

He goes on to say, “Until the redemption of the purchased possession.” From this phrase, we see that purchase and redemption are not the same thing. Only here it is not referring to persons, but to created things. Note this, there is something here that has been purchased, but has not yet been redeemed! This clearly shows that the two things are not synonymous. Now you might ask, “What is the “purchased possession?” it is not, as so many think, the Church, though the Church surely has been purchased. (That is clearly seen in what Paul said to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28, “Shepherd the assembly of God, which He has purchased with the blood of His own (Son).” – J.N.Darby Trans.) Since this is something that has been purchased, but is waiting to be redeemed, it couldn’t be the Church, because we are already redeemed! (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19)

In addition to the two-fold circle of Christ’s belongings (every person and every thing), Christ has title and right to those belongings on two accounts. He has a right to the world and everything in it because he is the Creator, as the Scripture says, “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof” (Ps. 24:1, Rev. 4:11). And He also has a right to every person because He is their Creator. Again, Scripture says, “Behold, all souls are Mine” (Ezk. 18:4). Over and above that, He also has title and right to those persons and things on another account — His purchase on the cross. He therefore, has a two-fold right to all — by creation and by purchase. Revelation 4 speaks of His creatorial rights to the inheritance; Revelation 5 has to do with His rights to the inheritance by purchase.

Now let’s speak about being redeemed. redemption includes being bought, but goes beyond that to take in the thought of being set free. The meaning given in any good Bible dictionary is “bought back and set free.” It indicates that there is a change of condition. there is not just a change of ownership — a change of masters (as in “bought”); there is also a change of condition.

The great emphasis in “redeemed” is being set free. Both persons and things need to be set free. you might ask, “set free from what?” Firstly, from sin and its enslaving power and effects (Romans 6:18; Tit. 2:14; Ps. 130:8). men don’t like to admit that they are in bondage and under the control of the sins in their life. They are honestly deceived, thinking that the life they live is not bondage, but it just points to the solemn fact of sin’s blinding power. Romans 3:9 says; “We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.” Also Proverbs 5:22 says, “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” And again in John 8:34, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” Apart from the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, all men, Jew or Gentile, are under the dominion and power of sin, and need to be set free. Receiving by faith the truth of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus will make one “free indeed” (John 8:32,36)

Not only do men need to be set free, but so do things in the creation. It has all been affected by sin. Presently it is under the bondage of corruption” and has largely been spoiled (Romans 8:20-22), though there is still much in the creation that we can enjoy, even in its fallen condition.

Secondly, all persons and things need to be set free from Satan. He dominates all his subjects, and is doing all he can to keep them in his grasp. Luke 11:21-22 says, When a strong man armed keepth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, He taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.” Satan is the “strong man” here. His “goods” are his poor sin-sick subjects under his dominion. They are “in peace” because he has deceived them into thinking that everything is fine (2 Cor. 4:4). They are not concerned about their soul’s destiny. The “stronger” Man is the Lord Jesus, Who, by His redeeming power, sets sinners free so that they can live for God’s glory. the point here is that the redemption that is in Christ Jesus sets people free from Satan’s dominion. When His work in redemption is received by faith it turns people “from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:18; Col. 1:13-14; Heb. 2:14-15)

Satan also controls much of this world’s goods. he said to the Lord, “All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomosever I will I give it” (Luke 4:6). This too, needs to be redeemed.

Thirdly, all persons and things need to be set free from the course of this world. Satan uses the world system to control his subjects. The course of this world is a powerful thing that makes people act and speak the way they do. They need to delivered from it, and where it leads to — judgment. “Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the Will of God and our Father” (Gal. 1:3-4)

You might ask, “How are material things governed or controlled by the world?” Sad to say, most of the best spots on earth, as far as beauty are concerned, have been sized by worldly men for worldly interests and pleasures. Much of it has been commercialized and ordered by worldly principles. The creation must be set free from this world system, and it will be don through judgment when the Lord comes at His appearing.

All three of these things work together to dominate and control the sinner, and keep him in bondage. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind” (Eph. 2:2-3).

While purchase is universal; redemption, when in application to persons is special. It applies to a special class — those who by faith receive Christ as their Saviour.

An illustration or two might help us to understand the difference between these two things. Suppose you see a caged dog captive to a cruel master. you often go by that pitiful sight and see a cruel man beating and mistreating his dog. Out of compassion for that dog you think to yourself, "I wonder if I could buy that dog, so that it would be delivered from that cruel master?" So one day you drive your car into that man’s place and ask him if he would sell his dog. The man is agreeable to it, and states his price, and you pay him the amount. You buy the dog and the cage as well. So you put the dog in his cage in your vehicle and drive off. now what has happened to the dog? He has been purchased; he has a new mater. There has been a change of ownership, but there has not been a change of condition — he is still captive in that cage. But when you get home and open the cage, and the dog gets out and runs around, there is a change of condition — he’s set free! Redemption implies being liberated.

Another illustration of the slave market would teach the same truth. Suppose you lived way back then, and saw a slave bound and for sale on the market. You had pity on that person and bought him, and he is delivered to you with his chain. He has a new master, but not a new condition — he’s still a slave! This would illustrate being bought. But suppose you had no intention of keeping him as a slave; and out of pity, freed him from his bondage. This would illustrate redemption — being bought and set free.

To use an Old Testament type, we would point to the story of Israel being redeemed out of Egypt. As you know, they were under the cruel taskmasters of Pharaoh (Ex. 1:11). The Lord had compassion on them and promised to set them free (Ex. 3:7-8; 6:6). And when the Lord delivered them from Egypt, the people joyfully owned that he "purchased" them, and also that he "redeemed" them (Ex. 15:13,16).

in Luke 24 when the two went down the road to Emmaus, the Lord went with them. And they said to Him, "We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel" (Luke 24:21). here again the word redeemed has the thought of being set free from bondage. In this case, it was the nation of Israel being set free from the Roman yoke that was on them. See also Hosea 13:14; Micah 4:10; Psalm 25:22.

As mentioned earlier, my concern is that we are in danger of slipping into using these terms without knowing their true meaning. I don’t know how may times I’ve heard Sunday School teachers and evangelists say that redeemed means to be bought. Scripture distinguishes these things, and we should too. now I know that evangelists and Sunday School teachers have some liberty to generalize in their comments in their efforts to reach souls. A.C. Brown used to say, "don’t clip the wings of the evangelist!" So I don’t want to do that here, but just to point out that while you may have heard these terms used synonymously, it does not mean that they are co-equal. An evangelist may have liberty in his meetings to cross over on some terms as he entreats souls, but we do not have that liberty in the Bible readings where we are enjoined to maintain sound doctrine (1 Tim. 4:6). If we don’t attend the Bible readings regularly where these things are laid out, and only get our teaching from the Sunday School and gospel meetings, we are going to be sadly deficient in our understanding of the truth.

There are at least four things that Scripture speaks of that need redemption — our souls, our time (opportunities), our bodies, and our inheritance.

Turn to Romans 3:24, "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." And in Ephesians 1:7, "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Titus 2:13-14, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." And again, in 1 Peter 1:18, "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

These verses show that redemption applies firstly to persons. Those who, by faith, own the purchase that Christ mad eon the cross are redeemed. They have been set free from sin, Satan, and the course of this world, to live for God’s glory and praise.

Let’s turn to Ephesians 5:15-16, "see then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because they days are evil." And also in Colossians 4:5, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." Here we have another aspect of redemption. It has to do with opportunities in our lives to live for the glory of God. It is not speaking of the redemption of our souls, but of the redeeming of time or opportunities in our lives — the setting of it free for the Lord’s use. We are responsible to do the redeeming in this sense. The redemption of our souls is purely His work, but the redemption of time in our lives is our responsibility.

We are living in an evil day, and if the devil could have his way, we would never have any time to serve the Lord. He would like to fill our lives with anything and everything, so that we don’t have time for the Lord’s things. But the Lord said, "The violent take it by force" (Matt. 11:12). If we are going to press into the kingdom practically, we are going to have to redeem opportunities. Therefore, we must seize the occasion from the enemy, and use it for the Lord — whether it is time for taking in the truth by sitting at Jesus’ feet, or times in service sharing the truth with others. Time in our lives must be redeemed, or set free for God’s holy purposes. (The Colossian side of things seems to have more to do with "them that are without" — time used for reaching out to the lost.)

Turn next to Ephesians 4:30, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." And then in Romans 8:23, "We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." This is another aspect of redemption. The bodies of the saints need to be redeemed as well as their souls. Our souls were set free when we, by faith, received the Lord Jesus as our Saviour; but we are still waiting for the redemption of our bodies. These two verses show that there is a "day of redemption." It is the very day when the Lord Jesus comes for us to take us home to heaven (the rapture).

I remember hearing H.E. Hahoe say on a tape recording, "Brethren, we have only got part of our redemption now!" That must have caused some stir! But in the light of these two verses, it is certainly true. Our bodies are still subject to the effects of sin in the creation ("the bondage of corruption" — Rom. 8:21), and are waiting to be set free. Aging, sickness, and impending death, await us if the Lord does not come soon. but at that time, when He comes, we will be glorified. The fallen sin nature will be eradicated then, and the aches and pains presently connected with our bodies will all be gone! Our bodies will be glorified then. The glorification of the sons of God will be at the rapture (Rom. 8:30), but the manifestation of the sons of God will be at the appearing of Christ (Rom. 8:19).

Philippians 3:20-21 brings this out beautifully, "Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." Here the Lord Jesus is spoken of, not as the Saviour of our souls, but the Saviour of our bodies. He is coming to save or redeem our bodies! This verse should be translated, "…who shall transform our body of humiliation." "Vile" (KJV) is an unhappy word here, because our bodies are a creation of God, and therefore, are not vile. They are affected by sin, but are not sinful. If they were sinful and vile, God would never call us to present our bodies (In their present unglorified state) to Him as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1).

The saints who have passed away, who are with the Lord now, are waiting, as we are waiting, for the redemption of their bodies. This, I say, will happen when the Lord comes. they will experience the putting on of "incorruption," when their bodies are raised and reunited with their souls and spirits in that glorified state. At the same time, those of us who are alive when the Lord comes will experience the putting on of "immortality." Thus, our redemption will be complete. It will all happen in "the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor. 15:51-54).

Let’s turn back to Ephesians 1:13-14, which we read already, "In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which (Who) is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." We have touched on this already, but only to speak of the purchase of the inheritance. Now let’s look at it with the redemption of the inheritance in mind. As I’ve said, sin, Satan, and the world have affected all that Christ has made by His power and wisdom. Every created thing has been purchased, and is awaiting redemption. The creation, and all in it, is suffering under "the bondage of corruption," but there is a time coming when it will be set free from every adverse thing and power to be used as a stage for the display of the glory of Christ. God’s great purpose is to glorify His Son; and He has chosen to use this creation to do it! He is going to glorify His Son in two spheres; in heaven and on earth (Eph. 1:10). In the Millennial day, god will display the glory of His Son through the Church, to a wondering world — in this very place where He was rejected and cast out (2 Thes. 1:10; Rev. 21:9-22:5). This groaning creation waits to be set free from sin, Satan, and the world so that it can be used for that purpose. Today, Satan and worldly unbelievers are using the earth for their self-serving purposes; but then it will be set free to be used for the Lord’s glory. there is this difference between the redemption of our bodies and the redemption of all things — our bodies will be redeemed at the rapture, whereas the redemption of all things awaits Christ’s appearing, some 7 years later (after the Tribulation period).

I would now like to look at some further Scriptures to do with purchase and redemption. These passages do not necessarily use the actual words "bought" or "redeemed," but they do speak of the results or effects of such.

Let’s turn to John 17:2, "As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him." Here we see the effect of both purchase and redemption brought together in one verse. Christ has "power over all flesh" – the title and right over all men, because of His purchase. Then it goes on to say that He gives eternal life to those that God has given Him — that is, the elect among the mass of mankind. This is the effect of redemption. Those that He has redeemed are given eternal life and all the special blessings that are associated with salvation.

Now in Hebrews 2:9-10, "…so that by the grace of God He should taste death for every thing. For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." As mentioned earlier, we see here that the work of Christ is so broad that it takes in not only all mankind, but also all things. He tasted death for "everything." It is the effect of His purchase. It doesn’t man that everybody will be saved, but that Christ has paid the price so that He could have title and right to it all. It is universal. He bought the field, as mentioned Matthew 13. Then the passage goes on to speak of Christ calling "many sons unto glory" out of the mass of mankind. These are the redeemed. Notice, it is "many," not all men. They are a special class — believers.

Another passage that has the truth of purchase and redemption is 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again." Christ dying "for all" is His universal purchase; "they which live" are the redeemed among men who have been set free. It is a pity indeed that there are those who want to use their lives to live "Unto themselves," even though they have been set free to live for Christ.

Let’s look at another Scripture. First Corinthians 7:22-23, "For the bondman that is called in the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; in like manner also the freeman being called is Christ’s bondman. Ye have been bought with a price; do not be bondmen of men" (J.N.Darby Trans.). The subject is completely different here, but the principle is applicable. He is speaking of persons being saved when they are slaves, or being saved when they are freemen. He says that in whatever station in life wherein we have been called by the gospel, we are to abide therein. but if a slave could be free, he was to "use it rather" (v.21), because being free he could serve the Lord in a broader sphere.

In these verses, the apostle speaks of a "bondman" and a "freedman." Mr. Kelly makes mention that these two things are the practical result of purchase and redemption being realized in the soul of the believer. The recognition of Christ’s work in redemption makes the believer "the Lord’s freedman." But the effect of Christ’s purchase (bought) — the cost He paid on the cross, brought home to the heart, makes the believer "Christ’s bondman." When the believe realizes, in some measure, what Christ paid to purchase and se him free, the power of such love and grace causes him to willingly yield his life to Him as His "bondman." That’s why the apostle adds, "Ye are bought with a price" (v.23). The power of Christ’s love constrains us to yield ourselves to Him as His bondmen. The great effect of such love is that we realize that we are no longer our own; and that our lives henceforth must be used for His glory (1 Cor. 6:20).

This reminds me of a tract I once read, about a man who went to a slave market to buy slaves to set them free. He saw one particular woman that caught his attention, and he made his bid for her, and bought her. She was angry at the whole idea, and would hardly look at the man. but when he explained to her that he had bought her, not to use her as a slave, but to set her free, she couldn’t believe her ears. She burst out in praise and thanksgiving to the man, and said, "Oh thank ya, thank ya! how can I repay ya> I’ll do whatever I can for ya because of what you’ve done for me! I’ll serve ya forever!" I don’t know if the man accepted her offer, but she was so taken by his act of kindness that she willingly offered her services to him — but it was on a totally different basis than her previous servitude. She as so grateful that she willingly put herself into his servitude! Similarly, Christians who realize what Christ paid for them willingly yield themselves to Him. "ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s" (1 Cor. 6:20).

It is interesting to note that those whom the Lord calls and uses in His service are those whom have willingly yielded themselves to Him as His bondmen (Rom. 1:1; Col. 4:12; 2 Tim. 2:24; James 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1; Rev. 1:2). This shows that these doctrinal issues have practical ramifications in the lives of the saints of God if understood properly. The great fact is that the power of His love makes us willing servants –. B. Anstey.