Chapter 172—Bought Without Money
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is
given you by Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:4
.
There are many who hope by their own works to merit God’s favor. They
do not realize their helplessness. They do not accept the grace of God as a
free gift, but are trying to build themselves up in self-righteousness.
The blessings of redeeming love our Saviour compared to a precious
pearl [
Matthew 13:45, 46
]....
In the parable the pearl is not represented as a gift. The merchantman
bought it at the price of all that he had. Many question the meaning of this,
since Christ is represented in the Scriptures as a gift. He is a gift, but only to
those who give themselves soul, body, and spirit, to Him without reserve. We
are to give ourselves to Christ, to live a life of willing obedience to all His
requirements. All that we are, all the talents and capabilities we possess, are
the Lord’s, to be consecrated to His service. When we thus give ourselves
wholly to Him, Christ, with all the treasures of heaven, gives Himself to us.
We obtain the pearl of great price.
Salvation is a free gift, and yet it is to be bought and sold. In the market
of which divine mercy has the management, the precious pearl is represented
as being bought without money and without price....
The gospel of Christ is a blessing that all may possess. The poorest are
as well able as the richest to purchase salvation; for no amount of worldly
wealth can secure it. It is obtained by willing obedience, by giving ourselves
to Christ as His own purchased possession....
We are to seek for the pearl of great price, but not in worldly marts or in
worldly ways. The price we are required to pay is not gold or silver, for this
belongs to God. Abandon the idea that temporal or spiritual advantages will
win for you salvation. God calls for your willing obedience.
All His gifts are promised on condition of obedience. God has a heaven
full of blessings for those who will cooperate with Him.
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