August 22, 2022 – Monday
2 Timothy 1:9 NIV
9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
Comments
An incredibly beautiful verse. In preparation for this verse, let us first look at Romans 5:8, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This really ties into the first sentence in the verse above, He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. For those concerned about the phrase holy life, it does not mean a perfect life, but instead a life now set aside from the world and living for God, His will and purpose. We will never do this perfectly but will move in God’s direction with our lives after our salvation through His purpose and grace, His unmerited favor, not because of anything we have done.
Before discussing the second part of this verse, its context should be considered. Starting with verses six and seven where we have, For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. Having been saved undeservedly, how can we act ashamed or be timid? We should not, cannot, instead we should join Paul in suffering for the gospel, the good news of Jesus and what He did on the cross.
This grace we receive from the cross was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. God knew our need for the cross before time began. The grace was given not destined to us. It was given to us in the physical being of Jesus the Christ, our savior. Grace was known to God in the fullness of His timing, that it would be made evident in the reality of the person of Jesus Christ. This was His plan from before the beginning of time.
Paul makes this clear when he continues in verse ten, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. What God prepared before the beginning of time, in Paul’s words, has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Bottom Line: We cannot earn our salvation, but only accept it through God’s wonderful grace. And then we can turn our lives around living as best we can as God would want us to live.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for seeing the need for our salvation through Jesus before the beginning of time. You have blessed us mightily. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek