The Higher Purpose of our Salvation

Ephesians 2:7

New King James Version

That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For Meditation

Achievements! Trophies! Certificates!

They do not come easily, but with hard work, determination, and purpose. People commit themselves to daring goals and go for them. Through gruesome learning and training, they push themselves to achieve these goals, and when they succeed, there is no telling the joy and exhilarating celebration. They deserve to celebrate. The walls and shelves in homes and offices allow lifelong display and continued celebration. A better facilitator than the limits of those walls and shelves has come these days—social media! It brings these celebrations to a worldwide audience. Pictures and backstories that make people cry while inspiring others on similar journeys abound. So, congratulations to all of you, the achievers out there. We share your joy, but God has something to celebrate, too.

After discussing the spiritual deadness and hopelessness of humanity (Eph. 2:1-3) and what God has done about it through Christ (4-6), the Apostle Paul turns to a quick discussion of the purpose of our salvation (7).

God has something better to display to future ages—His glory in the sinner’s salvation. There is no argument about the blessing for the sinner through Christ (1:3-2:6). However, there is a higher purpose for our salvation—God’s glory. The New International Version puts it this way:

So, God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus (7).

It will be a victory parade for God to display His wisdom in the planning and flawless execution of His redemption plan through Jesus for the redeemed. God will display our salvation as “eternally glorifying [Him] for bestowing on believers His endless and limitless grace and kindness” (MacArthur).

Think about the salvation plan. How could God satisfy the law’s righteous requirements and justify the sinner concurrently? How could He condemn the sinner to hell and justify him at the same time?

Calvary, therefore, was a laughable project to the demonic host. The prophets who announced it were curious to see how God would pull it off without violating His holiness. Who could imagine God becoming a human in perfect unity with His deity without blending or confusing the two natures (Phil. 2:6-11)? How could the Messiah die in the sinner’s place and rise to give him life and a place in God’s kingdom? Impossible!

But God did it with perfection by His exceeding grace and secured the believer’s place with Him for eternity. Why would He not display the power of His grace in the believer’s salvation as His glory? Why shouldn’t you, the believer, rejoice and celebrate with God as He celebrates with you in your achievements, which, by the way, are all part of His grace He has lavished on you?

Pray with Me

Father, you deserve all the glory and praise that come from your redeemed of Christ and the display of the exceeding riches of this grace and kindness towards us in Him in the coming ages. We celebrate with you eternally, through Christ our Lord. Amen!

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