God's Special Treasure! # 2

God's Special Treasure! # 2

He chose them out from others on purpose that they may be a special people unto Himself - and in so doing, he acted FREELY. It was not on account of anything He saw in them, or on account of anything He expected from them; but in the exercise of His most free and holy sovereignty - He chose them to participate in the glory of His Son.

In choosing them, He acted also DELIBERATELY. It was no hasty choice. His thoughts had been eternally filled with them. His heart had been eternally set upon them. Therefore He chose them in Christ before the foundation of the world; before His works of old.

In choosing them He acted WISELY - as He really desired to have them. For each one of them is ready to confess that if God had not chosen them, they would never have chosen Him! The nature regulates the choice; and as our nature is carnal and impure - we would never have chosen God, who is spiritual and holy.

His choice was just an early expression of His LOVE. The love that chose them - would do anything for them, and give anything to them! Therefore God spared not His own Son - but delivered Him up for them all; and in so doing gave them the assurance that also He will freely give them all things in Christ.

O the wondrous couched in electing love!

This act of choosing such creatures as we are to be a special people unto Himself - displays such grace, such condescension, such infinite wisdom and love! It seems to say, "The Lord has need of you." And, indeed, if He is to display all the glorious perfections of His nature, if He is to communicate of His infinite fullness to creatures, if He is to appear as God, in the most wondrous and astonishing manner - He does need us!

As the mother needs the child to empty the full breast; as the Father needs the Son to share and enjoy his possessions with him; as the bridegroom needs the bride to satisfy the deep love that is hid in his heart towards her; so God, our covenant God, may be said to need us.

God's election says, "The Lord loves you!" Loves us! Yes, and with a love that is eternal, immutable, sovereign, infinite and free! All the love of God is lavished upon us as His special people in Christ. Oh, those wondrous words of Jesus, "You have loved them - AS You have loved Me!"

Beloved, if God has chosen us to be a special people unto Himself - then let it be the ruling object of our lives, to be specially for God! And as God desires to have us near to Himself- let it be a daily effort to get near, and keep near to Him.

But few among the worldly wise,
But few of nobler race,
Obtain the favor of Your eyes,
Almighty King of grace!

He takes the men of lowest name -
For sons and heirs of God!
And thus He pours abundant shame,
On honorable blood.

He calls the fool, and makes him know
The mysteries of His grace,
To bring aspiring wisdom low,
And all its pride abase!

Nature has all its glories lost,
When brought before His throne;
No flesh shall in His presence boast,
But in the Lord alone!

~James Smith~

(The End)