SALVATION WAS NEVER PLAN B.

Saturday 9 November

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world… Ephesians 1:4a (NKJV)

the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8b (NKJV)

For anything to take God by surprise it would mean that He is not God. One of the attributes of God is omniscience which means all knowing. If this is true then it would be impossible for God to be caught unawares by anything. It also means that He prepared for the worst case scenario in advance.

We see this evident in His salvation plan for mankind. God knew that in giving man the right to choose was both an amazing and dangerous strategy. He was also fully aware that man somewhere down the line may rebel but God wanted relationships, not robots.

Knowing all these things before hand the Bible says Jesus the Lamb was ‘slain before the foundation of the world.’ This was not an event that occurred physically but spiritually in the heart of God. This was God’s salvation plan that would be enacted through Jesus after the fall of man. God purposed this in His heart before time and creation were brought into being.

Jesus the man was always God’s choice to save man. The Bible shows us something powerful in Romans 5:14 it says ‘Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.’ Who is the Him it is referring to? Jesus. Therefore in Genesis 1:26a when it says ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’ it tells us that Adam was made in the image and likeness of God and that image and likeness has always been the man Jesus Christ.

We can see from this scripture that the original image and likeness of God was not Adam, it was Jesus Christ whom Adam was created a figure or type of. Again, Jesus the God-man is the prototype for man before sin or the beginning began. Now we can start to understand how Jesus was always God’s first choice and plan A when it comes to salvation. His redemptive plan was not a knee-jerk reaction to the problem of sin like so many seem to believe is the case.

Ephesians 1:4 says ‘He chose us in Him’. Who are the us it’s talking about here? Everyone. The anybodies. The whosoevers. Despite what some erroneous doctrines may tell you, God predestined all mankind to receive salvation through the man Christ Jesus. Some teach that some people are irredeemable because they children of the devil but scripture does not support this view.

God says He is ‘not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance’ and that His desire is ‘for all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth’. God’s heart is that all mankind would accept His salvation that has been made available in Christ Jesus. It is not exclusive but inclusive. This is the heart of God that we see throughout His word.

You can trust that God has worked ‘all things together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose’ (Romans 8:28b) What is His ultimate purpose? Salvation for mankind through Jesus Christ. The all things that are working together here are not what you may have been told. They are all the things that are a result of salvation in Christ.

Predestination, calling, justification, sanctification etc. In other words, all the things concerning your salvation are ‘working together for your good’.

Remember salvation is every spiritual blessing and good and perfect gift that you have received in Christ.

APPLICATION

Recognise He had the plan of salvation mapped out all along, continue to follow His plan ‘A’ Jesus Christ and watch your life make progress and go from glory to glory.