A Mystery of Power and Kindness Toward the Sinner — The "Ages to Come" Will Still Be Unfolding It
As indicated by the word "glory," there is a beauty of majesty and a lofty mentality sheltered in God's grace, that is beyond the limit of human thought. Yet humanity is expected to commend that grace which mysteriously provides for God's natural enemies to become children of the Most High. Eph. 1: 5, 6. Such expectancy is made to appear next to inexplicable when one hears that this grace was bestowed through the Lord Christ, even before the world began (2 Tim. 1: 9), and that it henceforth was counted the essential of God's eternal purpose. Eph. 3: 11.
Another step toward this seeming human impossibility is taken when one learns that in all the ages before the appearance of God in the flesh, this eternal purpose was shut up in the breast of Jehovah, there to remain silent until faith should uncover it through fulfilment of the prophetic Word. Rom. 16: 25, 26.
THE REVEALING OF THE MYSTERY
But the revelation of this wonderful mystery was even then so delicately unfolded by the operation of the Holy Spirit, that none but lost sinners who have sought a change of life, could actually know its potency. Mark 4: 11. Strange though it may seem, the angels of heaven also are struck with amazement as they watch its earth movements, and earnestly desire to investigate the phenomenon thereby presented. 1 Peter 1: 10-12.
Yet there is something about this manifestation among men that, although not common to every-day thought, it wields an influence that commands general respect. Notwithstanding it constitutes "unsearchable" riches, and is therefore beyond profane conception, the great apostle was commissioned to preach its efficacy so as to make all men, in whatever walk or calling, see the fellowship it has with humanity. Eph. 3: 8, 9. It is this same companionable intercourse with a sinful race that the angels have looked on so wonderingly, yet without learning the mystery.299
THE MILLIONS OF THE SAVED MARCH IN TRIUMPH
But will this extended privilege ever be theirs?—Most certainly it will, but not until all redeemed sinners are presented by the Saviour to His Father, in exact likeness of their original creation, according to the eternal purpose of heavenly counsel. It is then, and only then, that the infinite skill of salvation's plan can be clearly visible to the unfallen inhabitants of other worlds. Scrutinizing the chart of heavenly truth to the limit of human capacity, one can only conclude that the complete glory of God's grace could in no other way be so fully demonstrated to principalities and powers in heavenly regions, as by the millions of saved being led in triumph through the gates of the eternal city of God. Eph. 3: 10, 11.
There is, however, a broader consideration, by which the magnitude of God's grace develops before the imagination. Had this benefit been limited to those who were made deserving by some wondrous act of their own, it would, indeed, have seemed profitless and disappointing to enter the list for heavenly honors. In that case the mass of humanity would have given themselves over to present excesses, and that without hope of a better life. But happily, all men are on equal footing regarding this gift of infinite love; for we are told, on reliable authority, that "the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2: 11), so that where "sin hath reigned unto death," grace may also "reign through righteousness unto eternal life." Rom. 5: 21.
FREELY BESTOWED UPON ALL
Yet, great as is this boon, no work of man has conferred or can confer its privileges. Wherever and whenever it is bestowed, it must be freely given from the fulness of Christ's own righteousness; since it is plain that when one receives a reward for work performed, it is no gift of grace, but the payment of a debt. Rom. 4: 4.
This point is very clearly established by the apostle in another connection. Speaking there of Israel's relation to the plan of salvation, he says that a remnant of them must be saved by the election of grace, and then adds: "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." Rom. 11: 6. The conclusion therefore is that if works save, then grace acts no part in salvation; or if one contends that the works method is really grace, then work is no longer work. But in this it may be possible for one so to dogmatize in his contentions as to frustrate or make useless the grace of God in his own case. Gal. 2: 21.
MAN'S WORKS CAN NOT SECURE IT
So then, by grace one is saved, through faith, and that not of himself; it is God's gift. This is so ordered because, if salvation were to come by men's works, then they would boast of their own power to the discredit of God's glory. Eph. 2: 8, 9. Faith is necessary to salvation, that it may be wholly by grace. Rom. 4: 16. Human boasting must be excluded, and God's glory exalted; and this can be done only through the law of faith. Rom. 3: 27.
Therefore God's grace justifies freely, not because man has earned it, but because of the redemption which abounds in Christ Jesus. He it is whom God has brought forth to be a propitiation—mercy-seat—for sinners, through faith in His blood which was freely given for all, that He might declare His own righteousness in the place of forgiven sin, all of which is by the forbearance of God's wondrous grace. Verses 24, 25.
IN THE AGES TO COME
But with all that may be said, a finite mind can never fully comprehend the infinite skill of God which has abounded toward the human family in the plan of salvation. Eph. 1: 8. He has, however, so arranged for the methodical strengthening of man's reduced mental perception, that "in the ages to come," He may be able to show the redeemed the "exceeding riches of His grace" in His kindness, or kinship, through the Lord Jesus. Eph. 2: 7. Then the eternal unfoldings of God's grace will give swift and constantly extending views of that unspeakable gift, so that men may ever have fresh occasions for praise throughout the reign of never-ending ages. Then will be sung understandingly the glory of God's grace. J. O. C.
