~ The Trinity in Salvation ~
The opening chapters of both Ephesians and 1 Peter provide three great aspects of salvation through the Trinity. It was God, the Father, who developed the plan. It was the Son of God who revealed the plan. Continuing today, it is the Spirit of God who empowers the plan.
Chosen by God the Father ~ God the Father was the initiator—it was the Father who sent His only Son. He was the prime initiator of our salvation. “Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes” (Ephesians 1:4).
Redeemed by God the Son ~ Jesus Christ is the redeemer—it was the Son of God who came to earth as a man, lived a perfect life while on earth, and then paid the penalty for sin for those who place their trust in Him. “He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins” (Ephesians 1:7).
Sealed by God the Spirit ~ The Holy Spirit is our helper—it is the Spirit of God who empowers us to live a life worthy of our calling (2 Thessalonians 1:11). “It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life” (Ephesians 1:13-14).
The Trinity at work in our salvation is also found in the first chapter of 1 Peter.
Redemption by power – work of the Father ~ “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:20-21).
Redemption by blood – work of the Son ~ “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Redemption through the Word – work of the Holy Spirit ~ “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:22-23).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
