02 The Acknowledgment

The Acknowledgment Our great Intercessor, with a full consciousness of his acceptance, founded on the perfection of his work, and his near and dear relation to his Father — stands before him to plead with him. What a sight for angels and glorified saints! See the Son of God, just about to suffer for sinners — pleading to be sustained, delivered, raised from the dead, and placed at the Father’s right hand in glory! "He lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you: as you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him" (John 17:1-2).

God is glorified in the gift of eternal life.

WHAT is eternal life? It is:

Life suited to man’s highest nature and desires. A spiritual, glorious, and divine life.

Life in God’s favor.

Life in God’s presence.

Life in God’s image.

Life as much like the life of God as it is possible for a creature to live. A life answerable to God’s greatness and grace — having the stamp of both upon it. The gift of God’s great love. The expression of God’s infinite delight. The manifestation of God’s greatest, richest grace.

It is life in the highest sense of it — which includes . . .
regeneration, in which we receive a spiritual, a divine nature;
justification, by which we are declared guiltless, and are put in possession of a most magnificent righteousness;
sanctification, by which we are conformed to Jesus;
preservation, by which we are kept from all real evils, and in the midst of all dangers; and
glorification, so that we shall stand without fault before the throne of God, and be filled with joy unspeakable in his presence forever!

HOW is this life conferred? It was given to Christ — to Christ for us. Hence it is called "grace given unto us in Christ Jesus, before the world began." It is given by Christ — by Christ to us. So that it is the Father’s gift, coming to us through the hands of his beloved Son.

It is a GIFT, freely bestowed on the vile and unworthy. It is given cheerfully by our Father and his beloved Son; and it is bestowed upon us consistently with the claims of justice, and the righteous government of God.

Jesus has received universal authority — in order to confer eternal life. He has power over all flesh; more, he has now all power in Heaven and in earth:
all power to legislate, or make laws, so that he gives laws to all creation;
all power to govern according to his laws, so that he rules all worlds;
all power to judge every one by his laws, as will appear at the last day;
all power to execute his laws, rewarding obedience and punishing sin. This power is given to him in the character of Mediator, by his Father; so that as Mediator he is sovereign — and can do according to his will and good pleasure in all worlds, and with all creatures. But when the Father gave this power to his Son, it was with a special design, with a special reference to his people — that he may give eternal life to as many as the Father had given him. Therefore —

Eternal life is to be conferred on a special people. How he dwells upon the gift of his people to him in this prayer! Again and again he repeats the fact, the pleasing fact — that his Father gave him his people!

They were given unto him as a CHARGE to keep — and he undertook to keep them safely, and forever.

They were given to him as a REWARD for his work — and he prizes them as the jewels of his crown.

They were given to him — to be his BRIDE and special companion, to possess and enjoy forever. As a charge — they are his care;
as a reward — they are his honor;
and as a bride — they are his delight! As they were given him before the world began . . .
they must have been known — and they were, and therefore chosen in him;
they must have been valued — and they were, as the objects of God’s highest love;
they must have been appointed to eternal life — and they were predestined to the adoption of sons;
they must have been received — and they were, for Jesus received them at his Father’s hands, and their names were all written in the Lamb’s book of life, before the foundation of the world. As they were given him to receive eternal life . . .
he will search and seek them all out;
he will quicken them from a death in sin — to a life of righteousness;
and he will preserve all and each of them unto his eternal kingdom and glory!

See how Jesus keeps covenant transactions in view. He knew all that had taken place in the eternal counsels — all that had been arranged and settled in the covenant of grace, in reference to his beloved people. He never for one moment lost sight of the decrees, purposes, and engagements of eternity — all were present, and always present to his view.

How faithful he is to his trust! Having undertaken it — he will discharge it. Having begun — he will go through. Having signed the deed — he will carry it out. Cost him what it may of humiliation, sorrow, sufferings, shame, or pain — he will certainly do as he engaged.

How powerfully he reasons in prayer! From covenant transactions, from favors conferred — he pleads for the help, assistance, and result that he so much desires.

Thus he teaches us — especially does he teach us to keep the glory of God constantly in view — in all that we do, and in all that we suffer. This is God’s highest end in all his purposes, plans, and works; this was the Savior’s object in all he said, did, or suffered; and this should be our object too — always and in everything. We are not our own, we are bought with a price, and therefore we should glorify God in our bodies, souls, and spirits, which are God’s. Whether therefore we eat or drink, or whatever we do — let us do all to the glory of God — though Jesus Christ our Lord.

Precious Lord Jesus! as you have power over all flesh, exert your power in me, to subdue my corruptions, purify my affections, and control my will. And as it is yours to give eternal life, to all who are given you by your Father — give me life eternal.

Give me power over myself, enable me to consult your will, and aim at your glory in all things!

Give me a satisfactory evidence of my regeneration, the sweet enjoyment of my justification before God, and preserve me unto your eternal kingdom and glory. Bring me to perceive your sovereignty, to submit to your authority, to acquiesce in your will, and to walk by your Word. May I ever . . .
keep the transactions of the covenant of grace in view for my comfort;
be faithful to my profession as your disciple; and
evermore aim to live simply to your glory and praise.

Holy Spirit, as Jesus was led by you to glorify his heavenly Father always and in all things — so lead me to glorify him evermore. And let me, as the effect of thy teaching and operations — to . . .
live by the faith in the Son of God,
copy the example of the Son of God, and
spread his fame to the utmost of my power!