Saved According To God's Purpose

2nd Timothy 1:8-11, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”

What a beautiful passage of Scripture. I read this passage today and was compelled to write this article. Notice in verse 9 that we are not saved “ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, but according to HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE.” We tend to think of everything from our own selfish perspective, but the Bible says God saves us TO HIS OWN PURPOSE. What is God's PURPOSE” for saving us? 

Romans 8:28-30, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Before the world was ever created, God in His foreknowledge knew who would one day trust in His only begotten Son, and those he called, and justified and will someday glorify in Heaven. 

• At salvation there is JUSTIFICATION (by grace through faith alone).
• In eternity there will be GLORIFICATION (presented to God blameless).
• Everything in between is SANCTIFICATION (i.e., conformed into Christ's image).

God never predestinates anyone to SALVATION; but rather, the Bible says He predestinates the saints to CONFORMITY into the image of His dear Son. Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” This transformation process in theology is called “sanctification.” The word itself means “to be set apart.” Before we were ever conceived in our mother's womb, God was already making big plans for our future. God's purpose for every believer is to be conformed into Jesus' righteous image. 

What saith the Scripture? Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” That is amazing dear Christian reader. Do you realize that before you were ever born, God had already foreordained that you should walk in the Spirit and do good works? That is God's desire, will and purpose for each and every believer. God the Father wants us all to emulate His precious Son in the world. We are Christ's ambassadors in His stead to this world. 2nd Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

God didn't merely save us to give us fire insurance! It is true that salvation is a free gift, without obligation; but God lovingly requests for us to return that benevolent act, by presenting our bodies as “a living sacrifice,” which is our REASONABLE service (Romans 12:1-2). It is not the believer's “mandatory” service; but rather, our “reasonable” service! 1st Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” That “ PRICE” is the precious blood of Jesus!!! 

Dear Christian reader, God has BIG PLANS for you! Jesus is preparing a home for you in Heaven (John 14:1-3). The Lord has a new body for you at the Rapture—a body fashioned like unto His own glorified body (Philippians 3:21). God the Father, who sacrificed His only begotten Son to die for our sins, also promises to “FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS” (Romans 8:32). In the meantime, our heavenly Father requests that we walk in the Holy Spirit—being FILLED with fruit of the Spirit, doing good works, serving Christ, departing from evil, and preaching the Gospel to win the lost. What a wonderful God and Savior!!! 

Every believer has an “INHERITANCE” reserved for us in Heaven, just waiting for us...

1st Peter 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”

Being a born-again Christian just keeps getting better and better!!!

“A friend cannot be known in prosperity. An enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.” —Dr. Jack Hyles