1902

January 8, 1902

“Bond-Servants of Christ” The Signs of the Times, 28, 2.

E. J. Waggoner

With what has the Lord bought us? and what is the strength of our bondage to Him? “Ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold.... but with precious blood.... even the blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18, 19. The church of God “He hath purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28. The price paid is great enough, and the transaction is valid.SITI January 8, 1902, page 21.1

As great as is the price paid for us, so powerful are the bonds that hold us in our servitude to God. Hear Him: “Yes, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3. “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.” Hosea 11:4. Ah, then, it is not hard, cruel bondage to which we have been sold, although it is everlasting, and stronger than death. No; our fetters are bonds of love, and the service is the service of love. “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.SITI January 8, 1902, page 21.2

Why Purchased?

Why has the Lord bought us? What does He want of us?SITI January 8, 1902, page 21.3

He wants to use us as instruments of righteousness through whom His will may be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Of this He assures us in the very words in which He makes known to us our lawful condition of slavery: “Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” And stronger still: “Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall have no dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:13, 14, 16. E. J. WAGGONER.SITI January 8, 1902, page 21.4