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“The love of Jesus, which had been fixed upon his people from all eternity, is manifested to them in time — by calling them out of darkness into his marvellous light. They are dead — until he quickens them by his Spirit; dark — until he enlightens them by his word; in bondage — until he frees them by his grace.
They are in Christ, and they are new creatures; old things are passed away, and behold, all things are become new. God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved them, has quickened them together with Christ, and by grace they are saved.
Salvation is now brought home; their sins, which are many, are all forgiven them, and they are accepted in the beloved. They are now the people of God, they have obtained mercy and are habitations for God through the Spirit.”
— James Smith
HT: Of First Importance
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