He Has Saved Us
2 Timothy 1:9 Christian Standard Bible
9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
An essential part of rightly understanding the grace of God is that God has saved us and called us. He has chosen us. He has pursued us. Unless He pursued us, we could not be saved. Unless He enabled us to see truth, we could not be saved. Everything we have in Jesus is because of the grace and mercy of God. Nothing is dependent on our ability. The only part we play in this is that we simply respond to an invitation, and we are saved by faith alone.
He has called us to a holy calling. The word holy here is the Greek word hagios and it means holy, set apart, consecrated, dedicated, saints. Refers to the quality of God who is transcendently distinctive, unique, majestic, perfect, and pure[1]. We are called to be set apart. We are called to be consecrated to Almighty God. The calling placed on our lives is the plan, purpose, and destiny for us. He has set us apart before the foundations of the world. Remember Jesus said that many are called, but few are chosen. Narrow is the road that leads to life, but few find it. Those who are saved are the elect of Almighty God and it is by His grace alone we are saved.
Our being called by God is not according to our works, but according to His purpose and grace. It is dependent on God alone. It enables us to rest in our election in Him. Is everyone chosen no. Why some people are not chosen and why some people are is a mystery that can only be understood by Almighty God. We don’t know who will be saved and who will not be saved. But we should diligently pray for our loved ones and diligently plant the seeds of the gospel wherever we go.
The word purpose is the Greek word prothesis and it means purpose; plan; setting forth[2]. The plans of Almighty God were established before the foundations of the world. Paul here writes under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit “which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began[3]”. Before there was time. Before there was anything God created, the plans and purposes of God were in place. When we understand our election in Him, it enables us to rest in His finished work and our salvation. Paul tells us that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, but that simply means having a right understanding of the holiness and majesty of God and we should live to honor Him in all things.
Prayer
Father thank you for saving us. Thank you for setting us apart by your grace and mercy. We have done nothing to deserve your salvation, thank you for enabling us to see truth and choose you as our God and King. Jesus thank you for shedding your blood. Thank you for taking my place. Holy Spirit thank you for your friendship and your kindness. Help me to know your voice.
Reflection
1. What is God teaching you about His grace?
2. How does understanding that our salvation is based solely on God’s grace and not our works impact the way you see Jesus?
[1] Hon-Lee Kwok, “Holiness,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
[2] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 2 Ti 1:9.
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