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Tag: Salvation

Jesus pay ransom

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

How and to whom did Jesus pay our ransom?

A ransom is something that is paid to provide for the release of someone who is held captive. Jesus paid our ransom to free us from sin, death, and hell. Throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are found God’s requirements for sacrifices. In Old Testament times, God commanded the Israelites to make animal sacrifices for substitutionary atonement; that is, an animal’s death took the place of a person’s death, death being the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23). Exodus 29:36a states, “Each day you must sacrifice a young bull as an offering for the atonement of sin.”

God demands holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). God’s Law demands holiness. We cannot give God full holiness because of the sins we commit (Romans 3:23); therefore, God demands satisfaction of His Law. Sacrifices to Him satisfied the requirements. This is where Jesus comes in. Hebrews 9:12-15 tells us: “Once for all time he took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it he secured our salvation forever. Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ritual defilement. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.”

Also, read Romans 8:3-4, “The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.”

Clearly, Jesus paid the ransom for our lives to God. That ransom was His own life, the shedding of His own blood, a sacrifice. Due to His sacrificial death, each person on earth has the opportunity to accept that gift of atonement and be forgiven by God. For without His death, God’s Law would still need to be satisfied—by our own death.

Plan of redemption

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

What is God’s plan of redemption?

ue to Adam and Eve’s disobedience (Genesis 3:6-7), humanity was plunged into a state of total depravity (Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12–21). Our entire being—mind, body, will, and spirit—has been corrupted by the power of sin. Amidst our sinfulness, however, God promised a plan of redemption. He would send a Savior who would redeem humanity from the curse of sin (Genesis 3:15; Galatians 3:13). From the protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15 to the messianic prophecies in Isaiah 53, the expectation of a coming Messiah was a source of hope for countless generations.

When the time was right, God’s plan of redemption led to the incarnation of the pre-incarnate and eternal Logos: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14, ESV). In the incarnation, the Son of God entered human history as the ultimate expression of God’s glory, grace, and truth to redeem sinners from the penalty, power, and presence of sin. To this end, the Son voluntarily sacrificed His life on the cross and took it up again on the third day (John 2:19; 10:18).

The doctrine of election takes center stage within God’s redemptive plan. The elect are those who were sovereignly and graciously chosen by the Father before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4–5). This doctrine does not negate human responsibility; rather, it magnifies the depth of God’s grace to undeserving sinners.

Central to God’s plan of redemption is the call to repentance and faith. Repentance involves an acknowledgement of our sinfulness and turning away from it (Acts 3:19; cf. Psalm 51:17). This is a crucial step in salvation because it places sinners into the hands of a merciful, gracious, and loving God who would never reject anyone who earnestly seeks Him (John 6:37; Hebrews 11:6).

Saving faith is confident reliance and trust in Christ alone to obtain salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV). Both repentance and faith are part of God’s plan of redemption and are necessary for humanity to be rescued from the bondage of sin.

As the pages of redemptive history unfold, the ultimate purpose for creation is revealed—total restoration of all things. This is not merely a return to a pre-fall state; it is a cosmic renewal whereby all things are reconciled to God through Christ: “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:19–20, ESV). This renewal encompasses the physical and spiritual realms, culminating in a new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1). The elect are not only recipients of eternal salvation but also co-heirs and participants in the restoration process.

In the consummation of redemptive history, God’s love, sovereignty, and righteousness will be on full display (Revelation 22:3–4). And the redeemed, now perfected, will stand in His presence with fulness of joy (Psalm 16:11; cf. 1 Corinthians 13:12).

Golden chain of salvation

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

What is the golden chain of salvation / redemption?

In Romans 8:29–30, the apostle Paul presents a concise yet breathtaking formulation of God’s redemptive work from eternity to eternity:

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(ESV).

This passage introduces readers to five essential doctrines: (1) foreknowledge, (2) predestination, (3) calling, (4) justification, and (5) glorification. These doctrines are intricately linked, forming an unbreakable bond often called the “golden chain of salvation.”

The chain begins with God’s foreknowledge. This doctrine is probably the most misunderstood, although the same could be said about predestination. The word foreknowledge is composed of two separate words: fore, meaning “beforehand,” and knowledge. So, to foreknow is “to know beforehand.” This does not mean that God foreknew or foresaw our faith and then chose us to be “predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” To the contrary, it means that, before the foundation of the world, God set His seal of affection upon those He purposed to elect (cf. Ephesians 1:4–5).

The next link in the golden chain of salvation is predestination, which is also composed of two word parts: pre-, meaning “beforehand,” and destination. Thus to be predestined is “to be destined beforehand.” The difference between foreknowledge and predestination is that the former does not tell us what God has destined (or planned) for the elect. This is where predestination comes in. Having set His seal of affection upon us, God then “predestined [us] to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Our destiny, therefore, is to bear the image of Christ (cf. Ephesians 2:10). To this end, God calls, justifies, and glorifies us.

The third link in the golden chain of salvation is calling. In theology, there are two different kinds of calling: external and internal. The first call is external, general, and indiscriminate. This call, also known as the gospel call, is exemplified in Jesus’ invitation, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, ESV; cf. John 3:16; 7:37). This kind of call can be resisted (Matthew 23:37; Acts 7:51).

The second call is internal, specific, and effectual. Thus, it is more than an external invitation to trust in Christ for salvation. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit, God prepares the hearts of His elect to hear, receive, and respond positively to the gospel message. This call is effectual (or effective) because it accomplishes God’s intended purpose of drawing the elect to Himself and giving them new life (John 6:36–37; 10:14–18, 11:43). It is the effectual call that is meant in Romans 8:30.

The fourth link in the golden chain of salvation is justification. Simply put, justification is the act of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God (Romans 5:1). Believers are declared righteous “not because of works done by us in righteousness” (Titus 3:5, ESV), but solely because of the imputed righteousness of Christ, received by faith alone.

Let us not suppose, however, that we produce the faith required for justification: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV, emphasis added). In other words, saving faith is a sovereign and gracious gift of God.

The fifth and final link in the golden chain of salvation is glorification. In glorification, God will remove us from the presence of sin and place us into an eternal state of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). On that glorious day, the light of God will shine upon us, and we will be free from sin, darkness, imperfection, and error. We will know Him fully, even as we are fully known by Him (1 Corinthians 13:12).

In Romans 8:30, Paul speaks of glorification in the past tense. This is because of his assurance that “he who began a good work in [us] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, ESV).

The golden chain of salvation reminds us that salvation is entirely an act of God (Jonah 2:9). It is God who foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies, and glorifies. The appropriate response is to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).

Golden chain of salvation

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

What is the golden chain of salvation / redemption?

In Romans 8:29–30, the apostle Paul presents a concise yet breathtaking formulation of God’s redemptive work from eternity to eternity:

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(ESV).

This passage introduces readers to five essential doctrines: (1) foreknowledge, (2) predestination, (3) calling, (4) justification, and (5) glorification. These doctrines are intricately linked, forming an unbreakable bond often called the “golden chain of salvation.”

The chain begins with God’s foreknowledge. This doctrine is probably the most misunderstood, although the same could be said about predestination. The word foreknowledge is composed of two separate words: fore, meaning “beforehand,” and knowledge. So, to foreknow is “to know beforehand.” This does not mean that God foreknew or foresaw our faith and then chose us to be “predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” To the contrary, it means that, before the foundation of the world, God set His seal of affection upon those He purposed to elect (cf. Ephesians 1:4–5).

The next link in the golden chain of salvation is predestination, which is also composed of two word parts: pre-, meaning “beforehand,” and destination. Thus to be predestined is “to be destined beforehand.” The difference between foreknowledge and predestination is that the former does not tell us what God has destined (or planned) for the elect. This is where predestination comes in. Having set His seal of affection upon us, God then “predestined [us] to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Our destiny, therefore, is to bear the image of Christ (cf. Ephesians 2:10). To this end, God calls, justifies, and glorifies us.

The third link in the golden chain of salvation is calling. In theology, there are two different kinds of calling: external and internal. The first call is external, general, and indiscriminate. This call, also known as the gospel call, is exemplified in Jesus’ invitation, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, ESV; cf. John 3:16; 7:37). This kind of call can be resisted (Matthew 23:37; Acts 7:51).

The second call is internal, specific, and effectual. Thus, it is more than an external invitation to trust in Christ for salvation. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit, God prepares the hearts of His elect to hear, receive, and respond positively to the gospel message. This call is effectual (or effective) because it accomplishes God’s intended purpose of drawing the elect to Himself and giving them new life (John 6:36–37; 10:14–18, 11:43). It is the effectual call that is meant in Romans 8:30.

The fourth link in the golden chain of salvation is justification. Simply put, justification is the act of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God (Romans 5:1). Believers are declared righteous “not because of works done by us in righteousness” (Titus 3:5, ESV), but solely because of the imputed righteousness of Christ, received by faith alone.

Let us not suppose, however, that we produce the faith required for justification: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV, emphasis added). In other words, saving faith is a sovereign and gracious gift of God.

The fifth and final link in the golden chain of salvation is glorification. In glorification, God will remove us from the presence of sin and place us into an eternal state of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). On that glorious day, the light of God will shine upon us, and we will be free from sin, darkness, imperfection, and error. We will know Him fully, even as we are fully known by Him (1 Corinthians 13:12).

In Romans 8:30, Paul speaks of glorification in the past tense. This is because of his assurance that “he who began a good work in [us] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, ESV).

The golden chain of salvation reminds us that salvation is entirely an act of God (Jonah 2:9). It is God who foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies, and glorifies. The appropriate response is to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).