Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #28

Salvation Is of God

1:21 "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God."

The One who establishes us in Christ and anoints us with His Spirit is God. He is the One who works salvation in our hearts. The Scriptures are absolutely clear about this. Paul said in his first letter to these Corinthian believers that "BY HIS DOING you are in Christ Jesus" (1Cor.1:30).

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, IT IS A GIFT OF GOD; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Eph.2:8-9)

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." (John 6:44)

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing." (John 6:63)

"God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)." (Eph.2:4-5)

"So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who works, but on God who has mercy." (Rom.9:16)

Many more verses could be cited.

Why is God so concerned to tell us that salvation is of Him? There are at least three reasons:

1- So that God and not man gets the glory for salvation (1Cor.1:29). When salvation is totally of God, then the grace of God can be fully appreciated. There was nothing I did for my salvation: not good works, not an open heart, not a seeking heart. It was all of Him. As Bishop Temple said, "The only thing I contribute to my salvation is the sin that makes it necessary."

2- So that we might receive the comfort of knowing that the author of our faith is also the finisher of our faith (Heb.12:2). He will finish what He has begun.

3- So that we will have the confidence to pray for the lost (Rom.10:1). If salvation is not of God, then what is the use of praying for a person’s salvation?

I praise you Father that Your Spirit has given me new life. How blessed are my eyes, that they see, and my ears, that they hear, when so many others are blind and deaf to You. I am no better than them. You have made the difference. May my life be a celebration of Your free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. For You deserve all the glory and praise!

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Rom.11:36)