Chapter 88—The Inestimable Gift
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
according as He hath chosen us in Him, ... that we should be holy and
without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the
adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, ... to the praise of the
glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.
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In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
“God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved
us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with
Christ, ... and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might
show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus.”
Such are the words in which “Paul the aged,” “a prisoner of Jesus
Christ,” writing from his prison house at Rome, endeavored to set
before his brethren that which he found language inadequate to express
in its fullness—“the unsearchable riches of Christ,” the treasure of
grace freely offered to the fallen sons of men. The plan of redemption
was laid by a sacrifice, a gift. Says the apostle: “Ye know the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes
He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” “God so
loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.” Christ “gave
Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.” And as
the crowning blessing of redemption, “the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the
heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
Him.” Surely there are none that, beholding the riches of His grace,
can forbear to exclaim with the apostle. “Thanks be unto God for His
unspeakable gift.”
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