CHOOSING in Christ-who did that? God. And when? But what can I know about God's choice, or " the when," or " the to what," until I have heard the gospel and received it, and am established in it?
God knows and acts, too, as to the end from the beginning. In learning Christ we learn in spirit much more than we think. " Why persecutest thou Me, Saul?" contains in germ the whole mystery. Howbeit Saul then knew not what it was all about; nor what wonders " the spouse," " the Bride," " the Lamb's wife," would have circling around the one Person in three different positions. Scripture is to be searched into, and all the ways and habits divine of God in writing it noted; His use of various words; His order and 'consecutions, whether as to the unbeliever or the believer.
Wondrous and adorable is God in the way in which He serves all now in some way or another. Wondrous too ere the Lord sent the message (John 20:1717Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)) to His brethren, how He had let both Mary and them show out whereabouts they were, and searched and proved their hearts in so doing. Thus, as in chap. 21 throughout, all the fullness of the free grace in Him stood forth conspicuously. How beautifully free and full and gracious were those outshinings of His worthiness and love!