CHOSEN BY GRACE. God hears and forgives us, though we do not deserve it (verses 1–3). And those who choose him realize that it was originally he who chose them and drew them near (verse 4; John 6:44; 15:16). Only in the New Testament do we see how radical that grace was. God brings us near to live in his courts not simply as guests but as his children and heirs (John 1:12–13). God’s highest praise is from those who know they have been brought home to live with him through Jesus, God’s true son, who died to make us his brothers (Hebrews 2:10–18). Our salvation is absolutely free to us but
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