O stand amazed at His free grace!

(Thomas Sherman, "Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ")
O precious saint! Three questions call for your answer:

1. What were you?
2. What are you?
3. What shall you be?

1. What were you?

Dead in your transgressions and sins, a rebel to your God, a prodigal to your Father, a slave to your lust, the devil's captive, on the highway to hell.

2. What are you?

Redeemed by Christ, a royal child of God, the spouse of Christ,the temple of the Holy Spirit, the heir of a priceless eternal inheritance!

3. What shall you be?

A glorious saint, a companion of angels, a triumphant victor, a crowned king, an attendant on the Lamb, a participant in those soul-ravishing and ineffable excellencies that are in God! You shall behold the King of Glory face to face--and enjoy immediate communion with Jesus Christ! Nay more, you are made one with Him:

clothed with His excellencies,
enthroned with His glories,
crowned with His eternity,
and filled with His felicity!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined . . . what God has prepared for those who love Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9

O stand amazed at His free grace--and render all the glory to God!