I rejoice in the many descriptions of salvation given by God himself in Holy Scripture. This is how the Word of God describes our salvation. The very first time the word "salvation" is in the Bible, it is called "GOD'S SALVATION" (Gen. 49:18). The Book of Hebrews declares that it is "ETERNAL SALVATION" (5:9). Jude speaks of the salvation of God's elect as the "COMMON SALVATION" (v. 3). It is a salvation enjoyed in common, equally, and fully by all God's elect.
Look at Hebrews 2:3. Here the Holy Spirit tells us that our salvation in Christ is a "GREAT SALVATION".
(Hebrews 2:3) How shall we escape, if we neglect SO GREAT SALVATION; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?
That is a good description of salvation – "So Great Salvation!"
Yes, indeed, God's salvation is "so great salvation". No words can adequately describe it!
The prophet Isaiah (45:17) describes this thing we call salvation as an "EVERLASTING SALVATION".
(Isaiah 45:17) But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an EVERLASTING SALVATION: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
Salvation is eternal both ways. It is from everlasting and to everlasting. If salvation is God's work, it is an everlasting work (Ecc. 3:14).
(Ecclesiastes 3:14) I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
Sinners saved by grace shall never perish. We are saved beyond the reach of condemnation, or even danger!
But no description of salvation can be found that is sweeter, more delightful, comforting, or more satisfying to our souls than that which is found in Philippians 2:12. Here the Spirit of God declares to believing sinners that God's eternal, great, everlasting salvation is "YOUR OWN SALVATION".
(Philippians 2:12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling.
I like that! If you are saved, the salvation you have is "your own salvation". God devised it for you. Christ purchased it for you. The Holy Spirit brought it to you and wrought it in you. It is yours forever! If you trust the Lord Jesus Christ, all that is included in that word "salvation" is your personal property and possession forever! It belongs to you by the gift of the grace of God!
Here is an admonition. – Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
That does not mean, "Work that you might be saved". It means, "Work outwardly what God has worked inwardly."
(Philippians 2:1-5) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, {2} Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. {3} Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. {4} Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. {5} Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
(Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Titus 3:8) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
(Titus 3:14) And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Here is an assurance. – "For it is God which worketh in you both to will (to desire) and to do of his good pleasure!"
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. {24} Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
If you are saved, the salvation God has wrought in you is "your salvation". Now, I want you to turn with me to Ephesians 1:12-14. Let's look at these three delightful verses of Inspiration together; and ask the Lord God our Savior to let us see what he has to say about "YOUR SALVATION".
(Ephesians 1:12-14) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. {13} In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, {14} Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Proposition: That great, glorious, eternal, everlasting, common salvation which God has wrought in us is distinctly ours: children of God it is here called "YOUR SALVATION"!
Divisions: There are five things clearly taught in these three verses about your salvation and mine. Believer, child of God, your salvation is…
1. A Salvation Designed For Divine Praise – "That we should be to the praise of his glory."
2. A Salvation Based Upon A Divine Trust – That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ."
3. A Salvation Obtained And Enjoyed By A Divine Gift – "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation."
4. A Salvation Secured By A Divine Seal – "in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
5. A Salvation Assured By A Divine Pledge – "Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
I. A SALVATION DESIGNED FOR DIVINE PRAISE – "That we should be to the praise of his glory."
That salvation revealed in Holy Scripture always honors the Lord God. It is a salvation becoming the character of God. If your salvation does not honor God alone, your salvation is a delusion.
The great, ultimate purpose of God in all things is the glory of his own great name. That is why he has saved us (Ps. 106:8). This is the end of predestination, election, adoption, redemption, and calling – "That we should be to the praise of his glory."
Be sure you notice the language here. The Holy Spirit here informs us of God the Father trusting his Son, long before we came to trust him, as our Surety, Shepherd, and Savior (John 6:37-39).
(John 6:37-39) All that the Father GIVETH ME shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. {38} For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. {39} And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he HATH GIVEN ME I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
III. A SALVATION OBTAINED AND ENJOYED BY A DIVINE GIFT – "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation."Notice here that the Object of all true, saving faith is a "whom", not a what! "In whom ye also trusted." How is it that we came to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
A. We heard the Word of truth.The gospel of the grace of God is called the Word of truth, more correctly, the Word of THE TRUTH, for many reasons.
Here we are told that the Holy Spirit, when he regenerates and calls sinners from death to life and gives them faith in Christ, does so by declaring to them, declaring in their hearts what Christ has done for them. We came to know the Lord when God the Holy Spirit brought the light of the gospel into our souls (2 Tim. 1:9-10).
(2 Timothy 1:9-10) 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, {10} 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.
Thus, we are once more instructed here in the fact that the preaching of the gospel is God's ordained means of grace.
IV. A SALVATION SECURED BY A DIVINE SEAL – "in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
The sealing work of the Spirit is mentioned after the experience of faith because our salvation is attested to and revealed only after we believe. Actually, we have a threefold seal from God.
The seal of the Spirit is that which gives us the assurance of salvation. The Spirit of God is the earnest of our inheritance, assuring us of it until the resurrection, here called the redemption of the purchased possession.
With this great salvation, we have the promise, "Ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end"
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