IN GRACE YOU ARE SAVED
William Mealand

AS WE READ Paul's letters to the believers of his day, we cannot but be impressed by his clear citation of salvation in grace. {In grace}. That is the central thought and keynote of his writings.

Note how he stresses it in the Ephesian epistle. There, in a marvelous sequence of thought, we see its character and import. Its source and channel, and stupendous range, is unfolded as never before. And in such a way that we should never tire of giving it expression.

Grace, and its companion, peace, are "from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." And it is God Who chooses us in Christ. {He chooses us in Him}, and, wonderful thought, is, "in love designating us beforehand for the place of a son for Him through Christ Jesus." Then we see that every blessing in keeping with such a choice, is "in accord with the riches of His grace, which He lavishes on us." And the purpose of it all is "that we should be for the laud of His glory." In such thoughts we perceive God's rare choice of us in a past our thought could never reach back to. It is too staggering for human comprehension, did we not see it clearly delineated in God's spirit-breathed Word--even the Word of His grace. Our present position, too, in accord with such divine favor, is gloriously high, even "among the celestials," as Paul goes on to show.

And what contrasts are brought to our mind! We are led to see our utter unworthiness for such exaltation, being reminded of our walk "in accord with the eon of this world, in accord with the chief of the jurisdiction of the air, the spirit now operating in the sons of stubborness." And the closing expression could not be stronger--"{even as the rest}." For we are all under sin.

"Not one is just--not even one. Not one is understanding. Not one is seeking out God" (+Rom.3:11). A sweeping statement, yet all too true. Yes, even we ourselves were as the rest. How this phrase fixes and completes the picture, for all indeed are under sin. But now we come to that finest touch, as revealing our God, the Father of glory. For, in spite of what we once were, "in the lusts of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the comprehension," we read on as follows: "Yet God, being rich in mercy, because of His vast love with which He loves us, vivifies us together in Christ, rouses us together and seats us together among the celestials, in Christ Jesus, that, in the oncoming eons, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus."

{Yet God}. What meaning these words hold in contrast with the former description of ourselves and others! How God confronts our hearts with the magnitude of His mercy and the vastness of His love! Mercy, which so divinely effects the good it speaks. And love, so immeasureable and far-reaching.

Its streams the whole creation reach,
So plenteous is the store.
Enough for all, enough for each,
enough for evermore.

And we are taken up in this great love, this inexpressible kindness of God so displayed in Christ Jesus, because on Him forever descends the Father's love, and so upon all in Him. "For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting."

{In grace are you saved}. Once we realize this, we would never have it otherwise. It centers our thought upon God Himself, Who not only purposed but provided in full measure our great salvation. God's approach present indeed--His own free will offering. Therefore, nothing is asked of us but glad acceptance, and life-long appreciation. Blessing indeed, supremely and altogether of God. And why should it not be so? God loves to give, and such giving is in accord with the delight of His will. It is also in keeping with "the evangel of the glory of the happy God," with which Paul was entrusted.

God is greatly moved in giving, for is He not the happy God, "the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers" (+1 Tim.4:10)? He is not like some humans who give ostentatiously, and that, perhaps, in a perfunctory manner.

Some years ago, a gentleman was in Carnegie's house when the famous ironmaster made his great gift of money to the cause of peace. "It is a great thing to do, Mr. Carnegie," said the gentleman. "Your heart must be thrilled this day. What a wonderful thing it is to have both the desire to give, and the money to gratify that generous desire!" Then Mr. Carnegie confessed that there was no thrill in the giving. "I sign my name to this piece of paper," he said, handing his visitor the paper containing the official statement of his gift. "It is taken from this desk, handed to a man who removes certain securities I have never seen from a vault I have never visited, to some other vault. I shall never know that I have given anything. There will be no change in my living. I shall have to go without nothing as a result of what you are pleased to call my generosity. In giving I go through a ceremony that does not stir the heart."

How unlike God's wondrous giving! For He gives, not only munificently, but as the Father of glory, and the God of grace. And His grace is shown in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Yes, God is moved, and continually moved, in His compassions that fail not. We would then, rightly appraise His great oblation, His incomparable giving. It meets our case so completely. For what works can we do of sufficient value to achieve such a goal as God desires?

It is just here where so many creeds lamentably fail. They overstress man's side of the question to the under valuation of God's lavish giving. To believe that God is the great philanthropist in the matter, and that choice is altogether of Himself, is most desirable to see and acknowledge. For, it is "not of works, lest anyone should be boasting." Even if one should boast of the highest virtues and services, it is of no avail.

Salvation has been once for all revealed, laid bare in the infinite worth of the Son of God, in Whom we have all that is meant by the great word {salvation}. It is then in Him, in the Beloved, we are accepted, and, being accepted, are brought near. What an acceptance, what nearness!

It is as a golden thread revealing itself again and again in a harmoniously designed tapestry, the vivid words: {In grace are you saved}!