Call to Purpose and Grace
2Tim 1:9: 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.
As believers, we are first and foremost called to testify of the saving power of Jesus immediately we are saved and baptized. This is call to purpose and grace; it precedes and supersedes call to ministry.
Call to Purpose and Grace
2Tim 1:9: 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 important points in the verse:
We are not just saved and waiting for Christ to take us on a joyride to heaven, we are saved for Christ’s purpose, otherwise, our salvation is unprofitable to Christ and to God on earth (Php 2:12-13).
The Purpose of Christ is that He saved us:
2Tim 1:9: 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 important points in the verse:
- He Saved us
- Salvation is the first gift of God to us which is “by grace through faith” (Eph 2:8, Tit 3:5).
- We are saved from the consequences of what Satan did which brought sin and death to mankind (Rom 3:23, 5:12), to the miracle of what Jesus did on the cross which brought grace and salvation to mankind (Rom 5:12-19).
- As many as have been saved and redeemed by the blood of Christ are called into “His own purpose and grace.”
- This calling is directional (Act 9:6, 1Tim 4:14)
- This calling is conditional (1Cor 1:26-31)
We are not just saved and waiting for Christ to take us on a joyride to heaven, we are saved for Christ’s purpose, otherwise, our salvation is unprofitable to Christ and to God on earth (Php 2:12-13).
The Purpose of Christ is that He saved us:
- To be useful for Him while on earth (Mat 16:15)
- To occupy and testify of Him and for Him (Luk 19:13)
- To have victory and demonstrate His power and authority over sin, Satan, demons, and the world (Mat 16:19, Mat 18:18, Luk 9:1, Col 1:13, 1Pet 2:9).
- What is the call for the “purpose of Christ” to a believer after the salvation experience?
- Discuss the consequences of not entering or functioning in this calling?