God’s salvific plan in summary. Part 2

“And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:30.

We have discussed in the prior daily insight that God has a perfect and beautiful plan for humanity’s salvation. We also learned that God has an eternal purpose and in it, He predestined or chose who would inherit the planned salvation. In the time, it is implemented by sending His one and only Son Jesus to this world. By the death, burial, and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, the plan of God’s salvation and eternal life are available for humankind.

Jesus explains God’s election of the people in the eternity past and the implementation of this election in time in detail. It is recorded in John 10. The chosen people for the inheritance of salvation are called the sheep. The sheep have one Shepherd. The Shepherd is Jesus Christ. It draws several conclusions from the sheep/shepherd analogy in this chapter.

First, those whom God has chosen or predestined before the creation of the world in his eternal plan are called the sheep. God gave all the sheep into the hands of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, and it is recorded in John 6:37, “All that the Father gives me will come to me.” It means God, the father, draws all who are chosen or elected to the His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said as many as God the Father gave to Him, He should give eternal life (John 17:2). Jesus also said that He (Jesus) had manifested God the Father’s name to the men whom He (Father) gave to him (Jesus) from this world. Again Jesus said, and it is recorded in John 17:9, that “I do not pray for the world but for those whom You (God the Father) have given Me (Jesus) for they are yours.”

Because they are chosen and elected in the eternity past, they were God’s belonging and now handed over to Jesus. 17:24 says, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me.” Again it says those God gave to Jesus (the Good Shepherd) may be with Him where He is and beheld His glory. This is the aspect of glorification that we would see later. Jesus again said and recorded in John 18:9, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

Listen! According to the above verses, God gave who are chosen or predestined for salvation in the hands of Jesus. 

Second, why God gave them to Jesus? John 10 says Jesus (the Good Shepherd) died, buried, and rose again to achieve their salvation and everlasting life victoriously. Verse 11, Jesus said He gives His life for the sheep. Verse 14, Jesus says, “I lay down My life for the sheep. Verse 17 says, “I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it (His life) from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again (referring to His resurrection after His death and burial-the empty tomb in Jerusalem).

Third, chapter 10 also says Jesus (the Good Shepherd) knows who all are the sheep God gave to Him in His eternal purpose and plan. Because Jesus knows each one of them, He calls them by name. Jesus said, “and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (Vs.3). “I know My sheep, and I am known by My own.” (vs.14). My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” 

This is how the sheep respond to the effectual call. The good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who implemented the eternal salvific plan by His broken body and the shed blood on the cross for the sheep’s sins, call each of them by name. The sheep hear the voice. They recognize and follow Him. The Good Shepherd (Jesus) makes sure those who belong to God, the Father, and gave to Him for salvation; none would be lost. This is why Jesus said, and it is recorded in John 18:9, “of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

“Father in heaven, I accept your invitation to get saved by coming to the good Shepherd who died, buried, and victoriously rose again for my sins and shortcomings. I hear the voice and calling of Jesus, and here I am. Please forgive my sins and save me today and grant me forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”