God’s Goodness Toward Us in the Coming Ages

“[He] raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Verses 6-7.

In death one sleeps the heavy sleep of death; therefore, God must raise us up with Him. Think to be raised up with Him whom our soul loves! What a glorious awakening for us who once knew nothing but the power and tyranny of Satan! Now we are raised up with Him, and He seats us together with Himself in heavenly places. How different this is from being seated in death with Satan! Praised be God for such a thorough salvation!

Just as we were tyrannized by Satan and the world, and our condition grew worse and worse, God, by contrast, will now show the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness toward us in the ages to come. I have already begun to taste of the goodness that will reign in eternity, and I take it that you, too, have received a foretaste of His exceeding kindness. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life.

“I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures that are hidden in darkness and riches that are hidden in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” Isaiah 45:2-3.

If, after passing from death to life, from the power of Satan to God, you should find yourself in pitch darkness, do not fear. The One who created both light and darkness says, “[The Lord] has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.” 1 Kings 8:12. But He also dwells in a light so bright that no one can approach Him. When God leads you into darkness, it is for a purpose. He has a vast storehouse of glorious treasures for you in His darkness. “But,” you say, “in darkness I cannot find the way to these blessed treasures.” The prophet Micah says, “When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” Micah 7:8. He will lead you to secret places so that you can obtain the most precious gems there. Your ways will be a mystery to men, but you will leave fruitful paths in your wake wherever you go, and your feet will drip of fatness.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God—not because of works lest any man should boast.” Verses 8-9.

The very existence of Satan, with his principalities and powers, made it impossible for us to rescue ourselves in our own strength from his power and his kingdom. A greater and more powerful person had to set us free. The only thing we could do was to accept the offer of liberation. What a powerful person this Jesus of Nazareth must be, seeing that He can walk right into the midst of Satan’s kingdom and lead away captives in full view of everyone! We understand that it is by sheer grace, for our works can no more save us than the fly’s frantic efforts in the spider’s web can save it from the spider.

We were not meant to have anything to boast about. The least amount of boasting would only cause us to draw closer to Satan.

God does not give anyone His honor or glory. He is so faithful that, if any honor were due us, He would surely give us our due. But the fact is, no honor is due us, and God’s love of the truth will see to it that we do not get any! It is not the one who honors himself who stands the test, but the one whom God honors. This applies when we honor God in all that we do; then He will honor us. This is not an honor we can justly claim; it is a reward for faithfulness within the realm of grace.