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: {4} According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {5} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, {6} To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Here we see that all things in salvation are according to the good pleasure of God's sovereign will, nothing excepted. Being blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ is according to the good pleasure of God's will. Election (chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world) is according to the good pleasure of God's will. Our being made holy and without blame before Him in love is according to the good pleasure of His will. Being predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself is according to the good pleasure of His will. Our being made accepted in the Beloved (Christ Jesus) is according to the good pleasure of His will. God is the God of all grace, and all these things in salvation are to the praise of the glory of His grace.
--- Bill Parker
To bathe in the ocean of endless bliss!
"Passing through the Valley of Weeping." Psalm 84:6
Every living soul that has been experimentally taught his lost condition-that has known something of a resting place in Christ-that has turned his back upon both the world and the professing church-and gone weeping Zionward, that he may live in Jesus, feel His power, taste His love, know His blood, rejoice in His grace-every such soul shall, like Israel of old, be borne safely through this waste-howling wilderness-shall be carried through this valley of tears-and taken to enjoy eternal bliss and glory in the presence of Jesus-to bathe in the ocean of endless bliss!
--- J.C. PHILPOT
UNITY OF THE BRETHREN
Thus HIS joy was fulfilled when HE was anointed as our GREAT HIGH PRIEST before the first molecule of creation (as we see it) was made. HE was as a "bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race." (Psa 19:5) The joy was set before HIM to deliver HIS elect which HE is not ashamed to call brethren, "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." (Heb 2:11) Those for whom HE came into this world to redeem were HIS brethren both before and after HE accomplished their redemption in time. In fact it is because they belonged to HIM that HE redeemed them.
In this is demonstrated the "unity" of the brethren wherein HE has laid down HIS life for HIS brethren and left us an example to follow in HIS steps. (see I Pet.2:21) This is the very heart of what HE told HIS disciples saying, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35) Paul goes on to describe this in his exhortation to the Philippians, "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Phi 2:2-3)
What greater joy can be had by those who are the sons of GOD than to dwell together in unity with their brethren. We read in John's epistle, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1Jo 3:14-16) The HOLY GHOST causes the sons of GOD to love their brethren because of the same reason that JESUS CHRIST loved HIS brethren.
Older
Top
