283. Chosen to Salvation
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Sprit and belief of the truth.
God promises salvation; God has chosen us to salvation; God has worked salvation for us through the Spirit and the Truth. The Gospel is used by the Spirit to make us holy and to bring us to faith in the truth. The same Gospel keeps us holy and keeps us in the faith. The Spirit makes us holy and the Truth makes us free. Salvation is freedom; it saves us from Sin, Death and the Devil; we are no longer slaves to the Enemies that would like to do us harm. We give thanks always to God for us and for our salvation. Every time we hear the Gospel we say, “Thanks be to God.”
The part of this promise that is meant for comfort and strength is the phrase, “from the beginning.” This truth is given for our assurance because our salvation is not an afterthought or a plan “B.” God designed our salvation from the beginning and He faithfully and fully carried it out. God always does what He promises. God chose us from the beginning, He accomplished it, and He will finish it: we have been saved, we are saved, and we will be saved. From beginning to end “it is finished!” God chose us from the beginning, when He created. My salvation was always God’s plan and the plan never changed. And in spite of the sin that corrupts and destroys, the death that looms and plunders, and the devil that tempts and lies we can always know that we are chosen from the beginning. We can know that nothing will thwart God’s purpose. My assurance is sure, my comfort is secure, and my hope is set in stone.
However, this consistent promise (from the beginning He chose us) has been subject to doubt and unbelief, controversy and contention, distortion and question. The question arises (from the devil): “How do I know if I am chosen? I can’t know the mind of God.” Yes, you can, because He has revealed it in His Word of Gospel. He made a promise long ago. I know I am chosen because I heard and believed the Gospel: Jesus saves me. Now that I believe I can go back behind the cross and I see (from revelation) that God had my salvation in mind all along, throughout history. The God who loves me so that I would believe the Gospel and be saved has arranged the unfolding of the history of the earth and the world for me. But I am not saved because I am chosen; I am saved because Jesus died for me. I believe, therefore I am saved; I am saved, therefore, I am chosen. I am not only loved, but I am also chosen. God says, “You are special to me.”