And He made us to sit in heavenly places in Christ. The purpose of it all is that He might show the exceeding riches of His grace. In other words, God saved us exactly in order that through that salvation the riches of His grace might be displayed. Here we have laid our finger upon the very heart of the gospel message. Let us briefly consider each of these thoughts.
Salvation is by grace.
A currently popular idea of salvation is that it is social and moral improvement. Jesus is not a Savior in the sense that He suffered and died on the cross and thus made atonement and brought reconciliation for the sins of God's children. Jesus, it is said, is our example. He showed us in his life how to live in peace with all men, how to realize the brotherhood of mankind under the fatherhood of God. If men would but follow the simple example of Jesus there would be peace on earth, all of our troubles would be removed, the Kingdom of God would be ushered in, and all men everywhere could enjoy the good life.