0330. BUY OF ME.
BUY OF ME.
Rev_3:18.
In addressing the Church of Laodicea our Lord uses terms that must have been very familiar to them. The city was noted for wealth, wool, and ointment, while the Church was charged with lukewarmness and self-satisfaction. The message of the Saviour was tender, timely, and merciful. In this great world’s "vanity fair" there are many voices clamouring for patronage, so that the still small voice of the heavenly merchantman is but seldom heard. These simple words, "Buy of Me," constrain us to think of-
1. Our need. Why does He ask us to buy? Just because He sees our nakedness and need, and knows that we are ignorant of our own condition. Can you afford to do without Him and His gifts?
2. The wares He offers. What are they?
1. Gold tried in the fire. His precious Word (Psa_19:8-10) that has passed through the fiery trials of many a persecution. The word of the Gospel of Salvation that brings life and comfort to the believing heart.
2. White raiment. Robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb (Rev_7:14). The righteousness of God which is unto all and upon all that believe. Not the withering fig leaves of man’s making (Rev_19:8).
3. Eye salve. This wonderful "eye salve" is the Holy Spirit, who is offered to all who have believed His Word and been adorned with the "white raiment" of justification before God. This holy eye salve enables us to discern the things freely given us of God (1Jn_2:20-27; Eph_1:18).
3. The Merchantman Himself. "Buy of Me." He is the alone agent for these precious things. No servant of His can bestow them, although they may speak much about them. There must be personal dealing with the Lord Himself. The goods He wishes to sell are the purchase of His own Blood.
4. The price quoted. "Come, buy, without money and without price" (Isa_55:1). Buying implies claiming after the conditions have been fulfilled. The condition is come without money, without any price, for such priceless gifts cannot be bartered for anything of man’s, and claim on this condition His offered gifts. A king does not sell, he gives (Rom_6:23).
5. Our present opportunity. "Buy of Me." "Now is the day of salvation." "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." This is the world’s market day, when God’s gifts of grace are being sold without money. Happy is the man that findeth this merchandise (Pro_3:13-17).
6. The possibility of losing such a bargain. It is said that a man on a wager failed to sell real sovereigns at one penny each. The people would not believe him, and the opportunity was soon gone. How shall ye escape the suffering of eternal loss if ye neglect so great Salvation? Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light (Joh_12:35; Luk_19:42).
Autor: James Smith