Preserving grace before regeneration'

Back to Man's religion & God's religion 3

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"To those who have been called, 
who are loved by God the Father 
and preserved in Jesus Christ." 
Jude 1

What a mercy it is for God's people that before 
they have a 'vital union' with Christ—before they
are grafted into Him experimentally—they have an 
'eternal, immanent union' with Him before all worlds. 
It is by virtue of this eternal union that they come 
into the world . . .
at such a time,
at such a place,
from such parents,
under such circumstances, 
as God has appointed. 

It is by virtue of this eternal union that the circumstances 
of their lives are ordained. By virtue of this eternal union 
they are preserved in Christ before they are effectually 
called. 

They cannot die until God has brought about a vital 
union with Christ! 

Whatever sickness they may pass through—whatever 
injuries they may be exposed to—whatever perils assault 
them on sea or land—die they will not, die they cannot;
until God's purposes are executed in bringing them into 
a vital union with the Son of His love. 

Thus, this eternal union watched over every circumstance 
of their birth, watched over their childhood, watched over 
their manhood, watched over them until the appointed 
time and spot, when "the God of all grace," according to 
His eternal purpose, was pleased to quicken their souls, 
and thus bring about an experimental union with the Lord 
of life and glory.