THE ORDER AND METHOD OF
GOD'S SAVING GRACE
Though to many Paul's conversion, his experience of
grace, might seem extra-ordinary, he tells us that the method of God's grace
with him was a pattern, revealing the method of God' s
grace with all his elect (I Tim. l:16). The apostle also tells us plainly what
the order end method of God's grace is: "When it pleased God, who
separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his
Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred
not with flesh and blood" (Gal. l:15-16). This is the way God saves
sinners. The order of grace never changes. The method of grace never varies.
SALVATION BEGINS IN THE WILL AND PLEASURE OF GOD
- "When it pleased God." The source of saving grace is the will of
God. The cause of salvation is not the will of man, but the will of God (Rom. 9:11-18). Having willed to save some of Adam, s
fallen race, GOD SEPARATED HIS OWN ELECT FROM THE REST OF MANKIND - "Who
separated me from my mother's womb." This act of separation is God's
unconditional election of his people in Christ, before the foundation of the
world (II Thess. 2:13; II Tim. 1:9).
The phrase, "from my mother's womb," implies the fact that this
election took place before we had done anything good or bad. It is teaching
God's sovereignty in election (Jer. 1:4-5). Then, at the time appointed, GOD
CALLS ALL OF HIS ELECT BY EFFECTUAL AND IRRESISTIBLE GRACE – "And
called me by his grace." Those who were satisfied in the womb of election
are given life by the call of the Spirit. This call of the Spirit is always
effectual, because, in calling his elect to life and faith, GOD GRACIOUSLY
REVEALS HIS SON, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN HIS ELECT - "To reveal his
Son in me." Salvation comes when Christ is revealed. As the result of this
revelation of Christ, in the heart, GOD MAKES HIS ELECT PEOPLE WILLINGLY
OBEDIENT SERVANTS TO HIS SON. God's purpose was that Paul should willingly
serve him, and serve him he did. Good works will never cause God to be gracious;
but God's grace always causes his people to willingly walk in good works.