[b]All enameled and interwoven with free grace![/b](Thomas Watson, "A Divine Cordial" 1663)"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised thingsand the things that are notto nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 Without this effectual callthere is no going to heaven. This effectual call, is a GRACIOUS call. It is the fruit and product of free grace! That God should call someand not others; that some should be takenand others left; that one should be called who is of a more wicked dispositionwhile another of a sweeter temper, is rejected; here is free grace! That the poor should be rich in faith, heirs of a kingdom (James 2:5), and the nobles and great ones of the world for the most part rejected; this is free and rich grace! "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight!" (Matthew 11:26)That under the same sermon one should be effectually wrought uponwhile another is no more moved than a dead man with the sound of music; that one should hear the Spirit's voice in the Wordwhile another does nothear it; that one should be softened and moistened with the influence of heavenwhile another, like Gideon's dry fleece, has no dew upon him; behold here distinguishing,sovereign grace! What is the cause of thisbut the free grace of God! It is all enameled and interwoven with free grace!Those who are monuments of God's mercies, will be trumpets of His praise. "So that no one may boast before Him!" 1 Corinthians 1:29
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
Amen. At times of doubt I have wondered, "in the end, what if I discover that I was not amongst the elect?" Then I am reminded in my spirit how much Christ loved the elect, even giving His life for His bride. This causes me to exclaim, "how kind He is to His people! How worthy He is to be worshiped and obeyed!" and I start to serve Him freshly. Soon my peace and joy returns.