UNDER BONDS TO KEEP THE PEACE.
By F. D. Starr
Success is what every laborer in the cause of God desires. This can be realized on certain conditions. Oftentimes some hindrance, perhaps apparently trifling, comes in to prevent the success that would otherwise be obtained. Complaining and faultfinding militate seriously against the desired results. The Lord makes this proposition, “If you will refrain from this thing, and not speak one word of censure, not one word of criticism, murmuring, or complaint, I will give you success.” See 1 Peter 3:10, 11. These terms stipulate that while we desire good days, we must seek peace and ensue it. If we do not do this, we cannot hope for the good days of success we so much desire. This puts us “under bonds to keep the peace;” and if we indulge in the offensive work of backbiting, complaining, and murmuring, we violate those bonds, and forfeit the Lord’s promise for our success. One in society who must be placed under bonds to keep the peace is looked upon as a rather dangerous person; and when in any degree he transgresses, he forfeits his liberty, and must be placed in close confinement, and thus his personal freedom is restricted. So with one under bonds to keep the peace in a spiritual sense, under gospel bonds, which are stronger than any civil bonds; he dare not speak against his brother under penalty of losing his favor with God. While he is true to the bonds of love, he may walk at liberty, and not be in any bondage whatever. Would that every tongue could realize the sacredness of these gospel bonds.