I would now like to look at some further Scriptures to do with purchase and redemption. These passages do not necessarily use the actual words “bought” or “redeemed,” but they do speak of the results or effects of such.
Let’s turn to John 17:22As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. (John 17:2): “As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.” Here we see the effect of both purchase and redemption brought together in one verse. Christ has “power over all flesh”—the title and right over all men, because of His purchase. Then it goes on to say that He gives eternal life to those that God has given Him—that is, the elect among mankind. This is the effect of redemption. Those that He has redeemed are given eternal life and all the special blessings that are associated with the salvation of our souls.
Now in Hebrews 2:9-109But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:9‑10): “ ... so that by the grace of God He should taste death for every thing. For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” As mentioned earlier, we see here that the work of Christ is so broad that it takes in not only all mankind, but also all things. He tasted death for “every thing.” It is the effect of His purchase. It doesn’t mean that everybody will be saved, but that Christ has paid the price so that He could have title and right to it all. It is universal. Then the passage goes on to speak of Christ calling “many sons unto glory” out of the mass of mankind. These are the redeemed. Notice, it is “many,” not all men. They are a special class—believers.
Another passage that has the truth of purchase and redemption is 2 Corinthians 5:14-1514For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:14‑15). “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” Christ dying “for all” is His universal purchase; “they which live” are the redeemed among men who have been set free. It is a pity indeed that there are believers who want to use their lives to live “unto themselves,” even though they have been set free to live for Christ.
Let’s look at another Scripture. First Corinthians 7:22-23, “For the bondman that is called in the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; in like manner also the freeman being called is Christ’s bondman. Ye have been bought with a price; do not be bondmen of men” (J. N. Darby Trans.). The subject is completely different here, but the principle is applicable. He is speaking of persons being saved when they are slaves, and others being saved as freemen. He says that in whatever station in life wherein we have been called by the gospel, we are to abide therein. But if a slave could be free, he was to “use it rather” (vs. 21), because being free he could serve the Lord in a broader sphere.
In these verses, the apostle speaks of a “bondman” and a “freedman.” W. Kelly makes mention that these two things are the practical result of purchase and redemption being realized in the soul of the believer. The recognition of Christ’s work in redemption makes the believer “the Lord’s freedman,” but the recognition of Christ’s purchase (bought)—the cost He paid on the cross being brought home to the heart—makes the believer “Christ’s bondman.” When the believer realizes, in some measure, what Christ paid to purchase and set him free, the power of such love and grace causes him to willingly yield his life to Him as His “bondman.” That’s why the apostle adds, “Ye are bought with a price” (vs. 23). The power of Christ’s love constrains us to yield ourselves to Him as His bondmen. The great effect of such love is that we realize that we are no longer our own; and that our lives, henceforth must be used for His glory (1 Cor. 6:2020For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)).
This reminds me of a tract I once read, about a man who went to a slave market to buy slaves to set them free. He saw one particular woman that caught his attention, and he made his bid for her, and bought her. She was angry at the whole idea and would hardly look at the man. But when he explained to her that he had bought her, not to use her as a slave, but to set her free, she couldn’t believe her ears. She burst out in praise and thanksgiving to the man, and said, “Oh thank ya, thank ya! How can I repay ya? I’ll do whatever I can for ya because of what you’ve done for me! I’ll serve ya forever!” I don’t know if the man accepted her offer, but she was so taken by his act of kindness that she willingly offered her services to him—but it was on a totally different basis than her previous servitude. She was so grateful that she willingly put herself into his servitude! Similarly, Christians who, in some measure, realize what Christ paid for them, willingly yield themselves to Him. The power of His great purchase causes them to yield their lives to Him and His service. “Ye have been bought with a price: glorify now then God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:2020For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)).
It is interesting to note that those whom the Lord calls and uses in His service are those who have willingly yielded themselves to Him as His bondmen (Rom. 1:11Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Romans 1:1); Col. 4:1212Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12); 2 Tim. 2:2424And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (2 Timothy 2:24); James 1:11James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. (James 1:1); 2 Peter 1:11Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: (2 Peter 1:1); Jude 11Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: (Jude 1); Rev. 1:22Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. (Revelation 1:2)). They are “freedmen;” but more than that, they are “bondmen.” This shows that these doctrinal issues have practical ramifications in the lives of the saints of God if understood properly. The great fact is that the power of His love makes us willing servants.