GOD Was Pleased To Have A Chosen Family In CHRIST JESUS

This was an act of pure mercy--
of pure grace!
(George Mylne, "Reposing in Jesus: Or, 
The True Secret of Grace and Strength" 1862)

GOD might justly have left the whole 
race of man to perish in their sins. 
There was nothing to oblige GOD 
to be merciful to sinners. 

But GOD was pleased to have 
a chosen family in CHRIST JESUS. 
HE bound HIMSELF by 
the everlasting covenant . . .
  to forgive their sins,
  to renew their nature, and
  to bring them to glory! 

This was an act of pure mercy--
of pure grace!

"HE chose us [actually picked us out 
for HIMSELF as HIS own] in CHRIST 
before the foundation of the world, 
that we should be holy [consecrated 
and set apart for HIM] and blameless 
in HIS sight." Ephesians 1:4 (Amplified Bible)

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GraceGems has posted Horatius Bonar's superb article, 
"Herod's Ballroom!"