“Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory”, 2 Timothy 2:10.

The quality or glory of salvation is not measured by the emotional experience in connection with repentance. Nor is it measured by how far you have come after having received salvation. The glorious part of salvation is found in the foundation of it. The eternal glory of salvation has its basis in the finished work at Calvary. Therefore, when you are trying to determine whether salvation is glorious, do not look at yourself, but at what Jesus did on the cross. Salvation is not to be built on feelings, but on facts.

Your surrender and your repentance is your reception of God’s ineffable gift and is, in fact, the only thing you have to do with salvation. The rest is a work of God who “worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (that his will may be done)” (Philippians 2:13).

A Glorious Savior

All who are saved are gloriously saved, because he who saved us is glorious, and because it holds a glory that is eternal. Salvation is rescue from a threatening doom.  As a man who is about to drown after a shipwreck, but is lifted out of the raging waves by a rescue force, you are secure when you get on board the lifeboat.

Deliverance is caused by another person. The shipwrecked has no responsibility to maintain the lifeboat; he simply grabbed hold of the outreached hand and was saved. After he gets on board the lifeboat, someone else takes care of him, providing food and dry clothing.

Often the rescue force members risk their own lives to save others’. Indeed, some have sacrificed their lives that other people might keep theirs. Our Savior gave his life for us who were sinking deeper and deeper into sin’s frothing sea. Without hope of rescue we were helplessly drifting. However, Jesus, this glorious Savior, came to our rescue, saved our lives, and gave us a new garment of righteousness and spiritual food so that we were strengthened again.

“For by him are we saved, not of ourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). It was grace on grace that he saw to us in our deep distress. When we lifted our eyes to the lifeline of Calvary and let the rescuer, Jesus, take care of us, everything was changed.

Does that thought not thrill you? Does it not fill you with a deep gratitude? Does it not make you want to serve him even more?

A Firm Salvation

“God is my salvation; I am secure” (Isaiah 12:2).

As impossible it was for my good works to save me, it is just as impossible for them to form the basis of my security. If, after receiving salvation, life was to depend on our strength, there would be no stability or security. Unfortunately, far too many Christians have experienced this over the years.

A person cannot live as he or she pleases after having received salvation; this is obvious. Furthermore, such an attitude would create anything but security. Therefore, God wants us to live a holy life in victory over sin and the world. Without security in salvation, however, it is impossible to live in victory, because our foundation is unstable and wobbly when it relies on what we can do. To build on such a foundation is hopeless – the building will sooner or later collapse.

Now, God is not only my Savior (through Christ); he is also my salvation. My life is built on what he is (faithful and just) and on what he has done (given me his justification).

“Jesus Christ (is) the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). “With (him) is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). As he was in the past, so he is today. As he is today, he will always remain. His being radiates a deep love for his children. And no loving father will reject his son, even though he does not always do what is right. The father will embrace him and with fervor in his voice show his son the right way. The son will feel safe, because his father’s admonition originates from love. He knows that his father wants the best for him.

Have you experienced this security, or are you still walking about with fear of your heavenly Father? Do you not understand how much he loves you, and how much he has invested (Jesus’ heart’s blood) in your life? He would not dream of doing anything that will damage you. He is not like humans, whose mood and temper can change from day to day. Our kindness often depends upon what we have met with during the day, but He is always the same – that is your safety and mine.

A Joyful Salvation

“Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalms 95:1).

The psalmist says: Let us rejoice before the Lord! Many Christians lack this joy of salvation. For some it is merely a memory of times past, and others have never known it. Mostly, the reason is lack of understanding of the cross and the finished work. The moment you see what perdition God has delivered you from, and what it cost Jesus to ransom you from sin’s curse, you will not be able to restrain your praise. You have been brought out of the darkness into the light; from Satan’s power to God – saved by grace through faith. It is not the result of your performance or your goodness, but exclusively a work of God’s love revealed in Christ. You know that you have not deserved it, and yet it is true. While millions of people wander about without knowing God’s grace, you have a future and a hope that reach into eternity. Imagine that he saw you when walking in darkness and hopelessness, and he lifted you up upon the rock of salvation.

“Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

When first you have understood wherein the glory of salvation lies and in whom it is anchored, you can start in earnest to rejoice and sing with exultation before the Lord. You will be secure in your walk with God. Fear will be relieved by the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry: Abba, Father!