That which the believer upon the Lord Jesus Christ is freed from through the atoning sacrifice of Calvary is well known and rejoiced in by the children of God. But many are unaware of that which Christians are made in the grace of God. Yet if we turn to the Scriptures we shall find that into which the saint is brought is dwelt upon far more than that out of which he has been delivered. The result of occupation solely with deliverance from judgment and the forgiveness of sins is that our praise and worship is weakened and the enjoyment which should be known by all "His own" is not realized.

A friend of mine bought a lot in the State of Washington. It was covered with a second growth of trees, and rotting logs and piles of rubbish were upon the ground. Now he was desirous of building a house for himself upon that site, so it had to be cleared. This entailed a great deal of labor, much more than he had reckoned on. However, the thought of the house that was to be, was constantly in his mind, and in due course, when the site was free of all that had hindered the work, he built the house he had desired and took up his residence. Now when in the new home, do you think he is always thinking of and referring to the clearing of the lot? He does not forget the fact of its having been done, but is he not the rather occupied with the home and its rest and comforts?

Need I apply the illustration? The Christian knows that the lot has been cleared. All that which stood
against him has been answered for in the death of Christ; his sins, his many sins, have been borne by the Saviour. But should he be constantly engaged with this? Should he not go on to know something of that into which he is introduced?

Let us consider this further. We might turn to many passages of the word of our God, but four must suffice for the present.

Colossians 1:12 shows that we are MADE MEET

"to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." It is our God and Father who has done this. For this we are called to give thanks. It is an accomplished matter. We had no hand in it whatever. It is God's work, and it is perfect. He has done this. We stand now in the full blaze of the light of His throne and we are fitted to be there-fit for the presence of a holy sin-hating God. Through that which Christ suffered at the cross we are freed. His blood has made our peace.

In grace God would have us suited for His own home, the Father's house, and so, already, He has made us meet to be there that we may sing His praise eternally. It is but a little while and our Lord will come and take us to be with Him in that home of delights.

While we wait for that glad moment we are privileged to know that "to the praise of the glory of God's grace" He has made us

ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED (Eph. 1:6).

Christ is the beloved One of the Father. He is now no longer on the cross in the darkness of God's holy judgment on our behalf. That hour of His suffering is over and never to be repeated. He is risen and crowned with glory and honor. We see Him in the place of fullest acceptance before God. And that place is our place. It is God Himself who has given it to us. As one has put this truth in five simple words, "Christ's place is our place." His place of acceptance before God His Father, is our place, and His place of rejection before the world is our place also.

God's gracious purpose is revealed. He has for ever linked us with His dear Son. So we find in the second chapter of Ephesians that we have been quickened with Christ, have been raised up together with Him and have been

MADE TO SIT TOGETHER IN HIM

Soon we shall be with Him there, but already in the thought of God we are seen in Him there, His presence there securing this that we shall be there with Him. Well may we wonder as we remember that we were dead in our sins, that we were under the power of Satan, the god of this world, and that we were drifting down the stream to eternal ruin. From the depths of degradation and ruin we have been lifted into the highest glory conceivable, into association with Christ where He is.

With all these blessings before our minds we may well join the song of Revelation 1:5,6, and say, "Unto Him that loveth us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath

MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS

unto God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." "Made kings and priests" we are become worshipers of our God. We know Him. We love Him. We adore Him. He sought worshipers, and we have been found for this, that with glad hearts and voices we should tell out His worthiness and excellencies as we joy before Him.

May it be ours to enter more and more into what He has made us, so that we may answer more fully to His thought for us now and eternally. Inglis Fleming