Grace and God's Plan of Salvation

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

What does it mean to be saved? There are several aspects to salvation. In other words, a person isn’t just ‘saved’. God’s plan of salvation (also known as ‘redemption’) began in eternity past with our election and continues to eternity future with our glorification. (Romans 8:29-30) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.  

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 - 2:10 is the most complete explanation of God’s plan of salvation. It begins with the Apostle Paul’s summation of the plan (1:3), proceeds to the matter of election and predestination in Jesus Christ (1:4), moves on to our redemption and the forgiveness of sin (1:7), our glorification (1:11ff), then our sealing as the possession of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit (1:13ff). From there the Apostle delves into the power of God that brings our dead spirit to life (1:19; 2:7), the granting of faith (2:8), and the purpose for all of this (1:5,9,11). He then tells us that God’s grace (mercy, love, kindness) is the motivating force behind the entire process (2:4-8), the riches of His grace are revealed throughout the process (1:7; 2:7), and that the praise of His grace is the ultimate goal of the process (1:6,12,14; 2:7). In all of this the Christian can have great joy knowing his/her salvation is not accidental or incidental, but intentional (2:8-10) through God’s sovereign power (1:19ff). For those who question the security of salvation in the life of the Christian, this text should be studied again and again and again.

(Titus 3:4-7) But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

“Father in heaven, how great is Your grace that saves us to the uttermost. The height, depth, and breadth of Your grace is incomprehensible. I praise and thank You that Your plan of salvation is indeed a plan set in motion before the worlds began and will continue long after the new earth becomes a reality. Blessed be Your name forever, Amen.”

Pastor