Jesus is the federal head of his elect. Just as every heir of flesh and blood has a personal stake in Adam—he was our covenant head and representative under the law of works—so every redeemed soul is one with the Lord from heaven. He is the Second Adam, our Sponsor and Substitute in the new covenant of love.

Paul declares that Levi was still in Abraham's body when Melchizedek met him. It is a certain truth that every believer was in Christ the Mediator when, in eternity past, the covenant of grace was decreed, ratified, and made sure forever. Think of what this means! Whatever Christ has done, he has done for the whole body of his Church.

We were crucified in him. Buried with him. And to make it still more wonderful—we are risen with him and even ascended with him to the seats on high! This is how the Church has fulfilled the law. This is why we are "accepted in the Beloved." The just Jehovah looks at us with complete satisfaction because he views us in Jesus. He does not look upon us as separate from our covenant head.

As the Anointed Redeemer of Israel, Christ Jesus has nothing distinct from his Church. All that he has, he holds for her. Adam's righteousness was ours as long as he maintained it, and his sin became ours the moment he committed it. In the same manner, all that the Second Adam is or does is ours as well as his, seeing that he is our representative.

Here is the foundation of the covenant of grace! This gracious system of representation and substitution moved Justin Martyr to cry out, "O blessed change, O sweet permutation!" This is the very groundwork of the gospel of our salvation, and is to be received with strong faith and rapturous joy!