But those of us who are saved by the grace of God are under a much greater obligation of love and gratitude to praise the God of heaven for his charity and grace toward us in Christ Jesus. This is what Paul says in Ephesians 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ". All the blessings of grace have been freely bestowed upon God's elect through the Lord Jesus Christ in God's eternal purpose of grace. God does not owe us anything, but hell. He is under no obligation to any son of Adam. But out of the abundant charity of his heart of eternal love for us, the Lord has blessed us in Christ. Not only has he blessed us, but he has blessed us with "ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST". In other words, God has freely given us all that we need, and all that is good for our souls, both for time and eternity, in Christ. ALL THE BLESSINGS OF DIVINE GRACE ARE FREELY AND ETERNALLY BESTOWED ON ALL OF GOD' S ELECT IN CHRIST. Everything that God can and will give to sinful men, he has freely given to all his redeemed ones. There are no favorites in God's family. We are all "heirs of God, and Joint-heirs with Christ". Paul said, "ALL THINGS ARE YOURS, FOR YE ARE CHRIST'S". God with-holds nothing from his chosen people. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?'
In the mysterious ages of the past, the Lord Jesus Christ was his Father's first Elect, and in his election we were given an interest, because we were chosen in him before the foundation of the world. From all eternity, Christ had the pre-rogatives of Sonship, as the Father's only-begotten and well-beloved Son. And he has, in the riches of his grace, by adoption and regeneration, elevated us to Son-ship too. Christ has given us the "power to become the sons of God". The eternal covenant of grace was based upon the Suretyship engagements of Christ and confirmed by the oath of God. And that covenant is ours for the strong consolation and security of our souls. In that everlasting covenant our adoption, redemption, pardon, Justification, regeneration, and eternal glory were all secured. In the everlasting purpose of God, in predestinating wisdom, the eye of grace was eternally fixed upon us. And we may rest assured that there is not one thing in God's eternal purpose which is contrary to the welfare of our souls. Therefore, "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE". Let us Join with the Apostle Paul today, and say, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, WHO HATH BLESSED us with ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in heavenly places in Christ".
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