It is not without interest to observe how the Apostle Paul closes his epistles with this desire of his heart.
And indeed, what can be more in keeping with the "grace and truth" that came by Jesus Christ, whose followers we are, than that we should' desire this encompassment in a world like this, and amid the many distractions of Christendom?
It is not standing on our rights; for what rights have we? If our just deserts are rendered to us, what can the issue be but "the lake of fire"? But sovereign, unmerited grace to those who merited it not in the least, has been manifested, and from first to last we are debtors to mercy. Where there is the due sense of this in the soul, we shall not be exactors but benefactors. We shall not demand, but be glad to serve, even as "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Oh! how blessed to serve in all humility of mind, for we serve the Lord. Christ and the objects of His grace here below. The Apostle could say, "I endure all things for the elects' sakes, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory?,
Do we expect things to go smoothly? We are called to forbear one another in love (Eph. 4:22With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (Ephesians 4:2)), and to see to it that we ourselves do not "fail of the grace of God."
May we then consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, and beseech, when called for, "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ." Our speech should be "always with grace" (this is the staple), "seasoned with salt." It is not good to have too much seasoning, but love never fails and is never inconsistent with "love in the truth."
May His grace ever rest upon us for His name's sake. Amen.