Salvation "Now Made
Manifest"
2 Timothy 1:10
Paul has shown us that
the salvation of God's elect was fully accomplished by the eternal purpose and
decree of God, and that it was "given us in Christ Jesus before the world
began." The covenant of grace being agreed upon and Christ standing as our
Surety in that covenant, all the multitude of God's elect were saved from
eternity. This cannot be disputed (Eph.1:3).
In the Old Testament
the mystery of redemption was hidden in types and shadows of the law. It was
promised and pictured, but it was not fully revealed. The question, "How
can a man be just with God?", could not be completely answered until
Christ came, God in human flesh, and accomplished redemption as the sinner's
Substitute. But now it is "made manifest by the appearing of our Savior
Jesus Christ" (See Rom.
1. CHRIST HAS "ABOLISHED DEATH." By his death in our
place, under the penalty of sin, the Lord Jesus Christ has removed all his
elect from the penalty of sin, which is death. His death has satisfied the
claims of God's law for us. The law being satisfied, our sin has been
thoroughly expunged from the court record. And justice cannot allow the sentence
of death to be executed upon us. Though the body must yet go to the grave, we
shall never die (John
2. AND OUR SAVIOR HAS "BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT
THROUGH THE GOSPEL." He sends his servants out to preach the gospel, the
accomplishment of redemption, to bring to light what he has done. The gospel
preacher does not offer the possibility of life and immortality. He proclaims
it (Isa. 40:1-2; 52:7;). And when he speaks by the power of the Holy Spirit to
the hearts of God's elect, those for whom Christ died, then God, who commands
light to shine out of darkness shines in the heart, "to give the light of
the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This is
the experience of salvation. This shining light in the renewed soul creates
faith.
Don Fortner