MH page 502

“Ye know,” says Peter, “that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold.” 1 Peter 1:18 . Oh, had these been sufficient to purchase the salvation of man, how easily it might have been accomplished by Him who says, “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine”! Haggai 2:8 . But the sinner could be redeemed only by the precious blood of the Son of God. Those who, failing to appreciate this wonderful sacrifice, withhold themselves from Christ's service, will perish in their selfishness.

Redemption is achieved through the sacrifice of Christ rather than material wealth. This paragraph addresses spiritual redemption and theological doctrine.

In the life of Christ, everything was made subordinate to His work, the great work of redemption which He came to accomplish. And the same devotion, the same self-denial and sacrifice, the same subjection to the claims of the word of God, is to be manifest in His disciples.

Disciples of Christ should manifest the same devotion, self-denial, and subjection to God's word as seen in Christ's life. It presents an ethical standard for religious discipleship.

Everyone who accepts Christ as his personal Saviour will long for the privilege of serving God. Contemplating what heaven has done for him, his heart is moved with boundless love and adoring gratitude. He is eager to signalize his gratitude by devoting his abilities to God's service. He longs to show his love for Christ and for His purchased possession. He covets toil, hardship, sacrifice.

Acceptance of Christ generates a deep sense of gratitude that expresses itself in willing service and sacrifice. This describes the internal spiritual motivation of a believer.

The true worker for God will do his best, because in so doing he can glorify his Master. He will do right in order to regard the requirements of God. He will endeavor to improve all his faculties. He will perform every duty as unto God. His one desire will be that Christ may receive homage and perfect service.

True workers for God strive to improve their faculties and perform every duty diligently to honor their Master. The text outlines ethical and behavioral principles regarding diligence and improvement.

There is a picture representing a bullock standing between a plow and an altar, with the inscription, “Ready for either,” ready to toil in the furrow or to be offered on the altar of sacrifice. This is the position of the true child of God—willing to go where duty calls, to deny self, to sacrifice for the Redeemer's cause.

The true child of God maintains an attitude of complete readiness for toil or sacrifice in service to the Redeemer. This is a descriptive anecdote and narrative illustration of spiritual dedication.