Words of Grace 7/15

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

We belong to the Lord because he made us. We also belonged to him because he bought us.

According to First Corinthians 6:20, we are “bought with a price.” And the price was “the precious blood of Christ.” First Peter 1:19)

Dr. Tom Malone illustrates this truth in a wonderful way. In a sermon he preached, he told the following story.
A little boy made a small boat and was sailing it in a stream. He had a string tied to it, and when the string broke the boat was lost.

The boy was heartbroken. He had spent a lot of time making the boat and it was beautiful piece of work.

Shortly thereafter, as he was walking down a street in his city, he saw that boat in the window of an antique shop. So the little boy went into the shop and said to the man,” That is my boat.”

The man responded,” I bought that boat from someone. It belongs to me. It doesn’t belong to you.”

The little boy said,” I made that boat and then I lost it a day or two ago. That boat was made by my own hands. It belongs to me.”

Then the man stated,” It is mine, not yours. If you want it, you will have to buy it.”

So the boy pulled the asking price of a few dollars out of his pocket and handed it to him. As he walked out of the store he was heard to say:

“Little boat, you belong to me for two reasons. You belong to me because I made you. You also belong to me because I bought you.”