THE GLORY OF GOD IN SALVATION

The reason for our salvation is God-centered, not man-centered. If we would understand that God saves us because he desires to, that it fits his purposes, then we would not be so prone to doubt our salvation. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:7). Again, if we would understand that God saves us because he has a purpose to—and that purpose has nothing to do with anything he has seen in us—then we would see salvation as something God wants to do more than we want him to.

For you've been saved by grace through trusting in him—it's not through yourselves, it's the gift of God! This has nothing to do with human effort, so don't be proud of yourselves. We're the product of what God does, created in Christ Jesus to do good, which God already planned that we should do. (Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-10‬)‭. The “glory” of salvation is a matter of tremendous concern. God receives glory—eternal glory—through the salvation of sinners. Salvation is by grace. It has to be by grace, for that is the only way that God, not man, is glorified. It brings God glory when sinners are justified. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more (Rom. 5:20). The reason Paul had to write so correctively in Romans chapter six is because he had taught these truths of salvation by grace to the glory of God so strongly, his readers actually got the idea that sin serves God’s purpose. If God receives more glory the worse we are, why not sin more so that God gets more glory?

The worse you have been, in a sense, the better; for the more severely you have been engrossed in sin, the more glory there is for God when he rescues you. Jesus told a parable about the person who was forgiven of more being appreciative of the love of God more. Those who have been the worst of sinners find themselves being the best of saints, for they realize how much grace there is in God.

Is this a scriptural principle? Indeed it is. Remember the words of Paul: Even though I used to insult God, and persecuted and abused God's people, God showed me mercy because of my ignorance and unbelief. Our Lord in his grace filled me to overflowing with trust and love that comes from Christ Jesus. You can trust this saying that everyone should accept: “Christ Jesus came to this world to save sinners,” and I'm the worst of them. For this reason I was shown mercy—since I'm the worst sinner, Jesus Christ could demonstrate his infinite patience as an example to those who choose to trust in him and gain eternal life (1 Timothy 1:13-17). Paul saw his salvation as God’s act wherein God receives all the glory. And he recognized that in saving the chief of sinners, God proved to everyone that he has enough grace to save anyone.

Dewayne Dunaway