SLAVE, SON, FRIEND by M. C. W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 13, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 18.

SLAVE, SON, FRIEND.

By M. C. W.

THOSE who are Christ's are designated by three terms, which we wish to notice, namely, servants, friends, sons. These terms are, by some, said to refer to steps, or degrees, in the Christian life, but they do not; they express relationship from different standpoints. The word "servant" in nearly all cases comes from a Greek word meaning "slave," or "bond-servant." The word indicates the relation of the individual to Christ as the individual should view it. Christ purchased the sinner with his own precious blood, and the sinner lays down the arms of rebellion and yields himself to Christ a willing slave. It is not the term which the Lord uses to show the relation, but it is the term by which every truly converted soul will express his relation to God so far as all the powers of his being, his wealth, his all, are concerned. He is Christ's servant, a willing slave.

But he who with all his heart yields himself to be Christ's slave, "is the Lord's freeman." 1 Cor. 7:22. Jesus does not now say, Ye are slaves. He lifts up the one who has yielded in humble submission his all to God's service, and makes the sinner that was, his friend. I am your willing slave, says the forgiven sinner; for you have redeemed me. I will make you my friend, says the divine Redeemer. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:14. But the word friend is designed to express another relation. A king would not naturally make a confidant of a slave. One so regarded becomes more than slave; he becomes friend. It is to this relation Christ exalts his followers, because of the precious things revealed to them, which human eye cannot see, human ear cannot hear, human heart cannot conceive; but God has revealed something of them by his Holy Spirit to those who have yielded themselves his bond-servants, whom he has exalted to the relation of friends. "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." John 15:15.

The term "son" expresses family relation and heirship. It is the highest exaltation possible to be called a son of God. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!" 1 John 3:1. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26. "And if children [sons], then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be

that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Rom. 8:17.

No language can convey to mortal mind how wonderful these relationships, how great the blessings! While they will not exalt the true Christian in his own estimation, they will exalt him above sin. While God calls him friend, and adopts him as a son, the faithful disciple will ever consider himself but a learner at his Master’s feet, a willing slave purchased at an infinite price, to whom the doing of his Redeemer’s will is the highest pleasure. And so while he regards himself but a willing bond-servant, bound by love, Christ regards him as his bosom friend, and exalts him to a son of the living God.

M. C. W.