“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.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

Notice the divine order given here by the Holy Spirit of God. See that God first saved us then he called us. Salvation comes before our calling.

The experience of our salvation is only the manifestation of what God the Father had purposed, that is, an eternal covenant of Grace (Ezekiel 36:11). It is only the application of what God the Son has already accomplished by his one offering for sin (Hebrews 10:14).

Therefore Paul says “even when we were dead in sins (God) hath quickened us together with Christ…” (Ephesians 2:5).

All who reverse this order are deceived and know not the truth. But we who are called by the effectual call of God know that all our salvation was given of the Father in Christ Jesus before the world began. Salvation was accomplished by the Son at Calvary, and according to his exceeding great power and grace, it has been applied to our hearts.

-F.E

“But the firstling of an ass you shall redeem with a lamb. And if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck.” Exodus 34:20

Every firstborn creature must be the Lord’s, but since the donkey was unclean, it could not be presented in sacrifice to Him. What then? Should it be allowed to go free from the universal law? By no means! God admits of no exceptions. The donkey is His due — but He will not accept it; He will not abate the claim — but yet He cannot be pleased with the unclean victim. No
way of escape remained, but redemption — the donkey must be saved by the substitution of a lamb in its place; or if not redeemed, it must die!

My soul, here is a lesson for you! That unclean donkey is yourself! You are justly the property of the Lord who made you and preserves you — but you are so sinful that God will not, cannot, accept you! It has come to this: the Lamb of God must stand in your stead — or you must die eternally! Let all the world know of your gratitude to that spotless Lamb who has died for you, and so redeemed you from the fatal curse of the law!

-C.H Spurgeon

John 13:7
Peter could not apprehend the design of our Lord in washing the disciples’ feet, and impatiently expressed his surprise, “You shall never wash my feet!” Our gracious Savior in effect replied, “Wait a little, Peter—and you will see the reason for My doing so. You do not realize now what I am doing—but later you will understand.”

How often are we impatient when we cannot at once see the design of the Lord’s dealings with us. Sometimes, when events run contrary to our desires and expectations—we are ready, like Jacob, to say, “All these things are against me!” While in reality, none of them are against us—but all are, in a wonderful way, working together for our good.

Oh, for more confidence in Him who, in infinite wisdom, is so ordering the circumstances of our lives as to promote our spiritual welfare here—and our eternal advantage in the world to come. Even in the present life, the Lord sometimes shows us the meaning of His past dealings with us, and convinces us that when He was leading us in a rough path—He was leading us by the right way towards the city of habitation.

“Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain!
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain!”
How often are we impatient when we cannot at once see the design of the Lord’s dealings with us. Sometimes, when events run contrary to our desires and expectations—we are ready, like Jacob, to say, “All these things are against me!” While in reality, none of them are against us—but all are, in a wonderful way, working together for our good.

Oh, for more confidence in Him who, in infinite wisdom, is so ordering the circumstances of our lives as to promote our spiritual welfare here—and our eternal advantage in the world to come. Even in the present life, the Lord sometimes shows us the meaning of His past dealings with us, and convinces us that when He was leading us in a rough path—He was leading us by the right way towards the city of habitation.

“Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain!
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain!”

–

Every man by nature is attempting to climb up to heaven on the broken ladder of works or trying to cross over the flood of God’s wrath on the fallen bridge of the law. But as sure as God is holy, all these attempts will fail; for “by the works of the law, no flesh shall be justified in his sight.”

God has established a bridge between heaven and earth by the obedience, death, and intercession of his eternal Son and every other way to heaven but this is blocked by the justice and holiness of God.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

-Milton Howard

True faith is built upon the strongest evidence possible–the Word of God! True faith is a total dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ for all our needs; such as forgiveness, sanctification, peace, and eternal life. The true believer renounces all confidence in his flesh, rejoices only in Christ Jesus, and worships God in Spirit. He feeds upon Christ as the bread of life, embraces Christ as his wedding garment, and trusts himself to the care of Christ as his shepherd, teacher, priest, and king. This is the life of faith.

– Henry Mahan

“Salvation is of the LORD” Jonah 2:9

We who are saved know that our salvation is not of ourselves but is completely the work of God alone (Titus 3:5). We recognize that we were once by nature dead and ruined by the fall (Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1). We were blind and could not see our need of salvation. We were lame on our feet so that we could not come to Christ — Who is God’s only Savior (2 Samuel 9:3-8).

We, who could not and would not ever seek God, were found of Him. He sought us and found us. He alone saved us (Romans 10:20)!

He gave us life from the dead. He gave us sight to see our sin and that Jesus is the only Savior for sinners. He gave us life, power and the will to come to Christ by faith. Therefore, we most gladly confess that salvation is of the Lord!

Yet, we who are saved of him often doubt our security and safety. We are prone to sin. We are filled will fear and sorrow, and we feel he has left us.

Oh, Believer let this be our comfort and hope, that “He which hath begun a good work (salvation) in you will perform it (salvation) unto the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).” Remember, troubled saint, that salvation is of the LORD. He from eternity purposed to save you. Jesus, in love, purchased your salvation even while we were yet in our sins. Remember that the Holy Spirit did not wait till you were worthy to quicken you to life.

Therefore, God will not forsake to complete our salvation. For all he requires of us he has provided in Jesus Christ our Savior. Who then can separate us from his love? Who can pluck us from his hands? Believer, there is nothing that can frustrate the Salvation of God given to us who believe on Jesus Christ.

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children (Psalms 103:17).

-F.E

The language of Psalm 40:5 suits my soul well, “Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You! Were I to speak and tell of them—they would be too many to declare!” There is no end to the inventory of my mercies! May He who has given so much to me, and done so much for me—add the crowning mercy of a thankful heart! Though I can talk of thankfulness, I feel much insensibility and hardness of heart; but, I know that, while sin dwells in me, it will have such effects. Sin will distress—but it cannot condemn, those who believe in Jesus!

-John Newton

“the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.” Ephesians 1:18

Everything depends upon the opened eye: the scene may be fair, and the light may be bright, but if the sight be gone all is in vain.

Zedekiah had his eyes put out by the king of Babylon, and then he was taken down to the imperial city, but for aught he could enjoy of all its splendor he might as well have been in a desert. There were vast halls and palaces, and hanging gardens and a city wall which was the wonder of the world, so that Babylon is called by the prophet “the glory of kingdoms and the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency”; but the blinded monarch beheld nothing of all the grandeur of the golden city, and to him her wealth was as though it had not been.

Thus is it with us by nature, we have no apprehension of spiritual things, no power to discern eternal good, but our foolish heart is darkened. Therefore the Lord must first enlighten the eyes of our understanding, or else, however precious the truth, and however clearly it may be stated, we shall never be able to apprehend it.

-C.H Spurgeon

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. (Isaiah 46:9-10)

There is no attribute more comforting to His children, than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials—they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children of God ought more earnestly to contend, than the doctrine of their Master over all creation—the kingship of God over all the works of His own hands—the throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne.

On the other hand, there is no doctrine more hated by worldlings, no truth of which they have made such a football—as the great, stupendous, but yet most certain doctrine, of the sovereignty of the infinite Jehovah. Men will allow God to be everywhere, except on His throne. They will allow Him to be in His workshop to fashion worlds and make stars. They will allow Him to be in His almonry to dispense His alms and bestow His bounties. They will allow Him to sustain the earth and bear up the pillars thereof, or light the lamps of heaven, or rule the waves of the ever-moving ocean; but when God ascends His throne—then His creatures gnash their teeth!

We proclaim an enthroned God, and His right to do as He wills with His own, to dispose of His creatures as He thinks well, without consulting them in the matter. Then it is, that we are hissed and execrated; and then it is, that men turn a deaf ear to us—for God on His throne—is not the God they love. But it is God upon the throne that we love to preach. It is God upon His throne, whom we trust!

-C. H. Spurgeon

When the Gospel is preached, there are two things always taking place (even though most are unaware of it); some are being prepared for glory, others are being hardened. Some are being brought to the light; some are left sitting in darkness. Some see Christ and His glory; others see no beauty about Him. Some who hear the Gospel have their hearts made tender towards sin; others have their hearts hardened in sin. No wonder we say, “Who is sufficient for these things?” The question we should all be asking is, “How is the preaching of the Gospel affecting me?”

Pastor Don Bell, Latana Grace Church, Crossville, TN USA