Salvation is the work of God for man, not a work of man for God. Salvation in our dispensation is the work always and only of God. The perfect work of GOD for man, which is to measure His grace, is presented in the word of GOD in seven major aspects:
1. The Finished Work of CHRIST (John 19:30; Heb. 12:1-3)
This is no less than the combined values of His redemption, reconciliation, atonement, forgiveness, and propitiation as provided and made available through the all sufficient cross-work of Christ: His death (Rom. 5:9-11; Heb. 2:9,13,15), His burial (Acts 2:31; Isa. 53:10-11), and His resurrection (Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:12-20). And these aspects of His Cross are related to the whole world lost in sin (I Timothy 2:6; II Corinthians 5:19, 20; I John 2:1, 2). This aspect of the divine work is forever “finished” for every soul, and its glorious achievement is the good news of the Gospel of saving grace.
2. The Convicting Work of the Spirit.
By this work of GOD the Gospel of His saving grace is revealed to the mind and heart of the unsaved by the Spirit of GOD. This conviction is a revelation of truth to a person both about themselves and about Christ through the Scriptures and preaching the saving gospel of Christ. He convinces of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-11). The Spirit invites the sinner to put his faith on the finished work of Christ. Only by this illuminating work of the Spirit can the Satan blinded mind of the unsaved (II Corinthians 4:3, 4) understand the way of life in CHRIST JESUS.
3. The Saving Work of GOD
This divine undertaking includes every aspect of the work of GOD that is accomplished at the instant when the sinner believes on CHRIST. It is no less than many transforming miracles which are wrought instantaneously and simultaneously in the saving power of GOD through believing the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16; Eph. 1:13-14; Rom. 3:22; 1 Cor. 1:21). This includes the many virtues that accompany salvation the moment a person put his trust in Christ and his perfect work at Calvary: regeneration, adoption, imputation of God’s righteousness, sealing of the Spirit, indwelling of the Spirit, baptism of the Spirit, and many more.
4. The Keeping Work of GOD
The clear Biblical testimony is to the effect that the believer is kept always and only through the grace and power of GOD (Jude 1:1, 24). Because of the work of CHRIST on the Cross, GOD is presented as not only being free to save meritless sinners; but He is presented as being free to keep those whom He has saved. Under law men endured to maintain uprightness with God (Ezekiel 18:20-27). GOD alone is “able” to keep (Phil. 1:6; 2Tim. 1:12; 4:18).
5. The Delivering Work of GOD
The Christian who is perfectly saved from the guilt and penalty of sin needs also to be saved from the reigning power of sin (2 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Thess. 3:2). GOD alone can save in any case, and therefore deliverance from sin, weakness and failure is provided, not by human effort, but by the power of the indwelling Spirit; and is secured, not on the principle of works, but on the principle of faith. “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Deliverance, too, is always and only a work of GOD.
6. The Work of GOD in Christian Growth
Too often Christian growth is confused with spirituality, or deliverance from the power of sin. A very immature believer, as to growth, may be delivered and be in the full blessing of the Spirit. He has yet much to learn from experience and from the Word of GOD; but this need not limit his immediate blessing of heart and life. In fact only spiritual Christians grow. Carnality in life means perpetual babyhood in spirituality. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18); “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (II Corinthians 3:18). “God giveth the increase (1 Cor. 3:6-17; Col. 2:19).
7. The Final Presenting Work of GOD
It is the final and consummating work of GOD to present the believer faultless before the presence of His glory to His own exceeding joy. It is promised that when we see Him we shall be “like him.” We shall then be conformed to the image of the Son of GOD (Phil. 3:21; Romans 8:28-30; Eph. 4:13; 5:26-27).
“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” – Ephesians 5:27
“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight” – Colossians 1:22
“…that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” – Colossians 1:28
“…that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 11:2
Evangelist Rodgie Quirante
The Workman’s Treasure Study Series