# “This is surely the apex of grace” by John Murray

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2015/12/09/this-is-surely-the-apex-of-grace-by-john-murray/
- Published: 2015-12-09T12:00:12-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“By adoption the redeemed become sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty; they
are introduced into and given the privileges of God’s family…

Adoption, as the term clearly implies, is an act of transfer from an alien family
into the family of God Himself. This is surely the apex of grace and privilege.

We would not dare to conceive of such grace far less to claim it apart from God’s
own revelation and assurance. It staggers imagination because of its amazing condescension
and love.

The Spirit alone could be the seal of it in our hearts. ‘Eye hath not seen, nor 
ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:
for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God’ (1 Cor. 2:9, 10).

It is only as there is the conjunction of the witness of revelation and the inward
witness of the Spirit in our hearts that we are able to scale this pinnacle of faith
and say with filial confidence and love, ‘Abba Father!’…

It is the same Person who is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ in the ineffable
mystery of the trinity who is the Father of believers in the mystery of His adoptive
grace.

God the Father is not only the specific agent in the act of adoption; He also constitutes
those who believe in Jesus’ name His own children.

Could anything disclose the marvel of adoption or certify the security of its tenure
and privilege more effectively than the fact that the Father Himself, on account
of whom are all things and through whom are all things, who made the captain of 
salvation perfect through sufferings, becomes by deed of grace the Father of the
many sons whom He will bring to glory?

And that is the reason why the Captain of salvation Himself is not ashamed to call
them brethren and can exult with joy unspeakable, ‘Behold I and the children whom
God hath given to me’ (Heb. 2:13).”

–John Murray, _[Redemption: Accomplished and Applied](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802811434?tag=toletaupanre-20)_(
Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1955), 132, 134, 140.

More quotes from [John Murray](https://tollelege.net/category/john-murray/) · More
on [Adoption](https://tollelege.net/category/adoption/)