Before knowing the ultimate purpose of salvation, it is necessary to understand the nature of salvation. Salvation is planned and accomplished by God. In the previous weeks, we have learned about God’s mercy and faithfulness behind every believer’s salvation. Every one of us was dead in sin, with no desire or ability to know God, but because of God’s mercy and grace, He pulled us out from the pit and gave us life in Christ. God promised this salvation, and by His faithfulness, He has never betrayed us in His covenant to be our redeeming God.
Salvation is motivated by God’s mercy, promised by God’s faithfulness, and accomplished by God’s power. Nothing is impossible with God. He granted (v.74) us this salvation because it pleased Him to do so and it was in His power to do it. Just as God created all of creation out of nothing, God made believers new creatures in Christ, removing our permanent stain of sin by Jesus’ blood. What peace is there to know that all things are under God’s sovereign power, and even more so, that God’s power always works according to His good nature!
How is God’s power delivered to us? God’s power comes through His decreed Will and His descriptive Will. God’s decree speaks of what He has planned and will accomplish. For example, every believer’s salvation is accomplished and kept not because of his effort, but because God has decreed it. God’s descriptive Will refers to His preferences and favor- if we violate God’s descriptive Will, we are sinning. For instance, God commands believers to not be unequally yoked to unbelievers. If a Christian marries an unbeliever, he is violating God’s descriptive Will. Under both types of Will, God’s power is seen in His providence.
Although God’s power is working in all the ordinary and extraordinary things in our lives every day, many Christians are not aware of it. Though we are in reality co-heirs with Christ, we have no experiences to tell of God’s amazing works in our lives. In order to experience God’s power, we must practice faith. We have the truth of God in His Word. We must trust it, depend on it, and live by it to experience its power in our lives. We can not expect to experience God’s power without faith. Faith invites the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and it works with love towards God and fellow believers.
Believers must understand biblical salvation. Our salvation is by God’s mercy, faithfulness, and power. It is steadfast and more amazing than anything else in our lives. The Kingdom of God in us, so we must continually seek His Kingdom and His righteousness by following the way of Jesus. As we do this, we will have much to share in the work of God in our lives.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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