"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom(God) be glory for ever." Here is a glorious and comforting truth to the believer, who is resting in the Lord Jesus Christ, all things are of God. This truth echoes throughout the pages of inspired scripture (Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor. 5:18) and declares that God is God, beside Him there is no other (Isa. 45:22). The Apostle clearly states that, "all things are of Him," God is the first cause and last end of all things (Isa.45:7). He also says that, "all things through Him," God in time executes His wise decrees to His own will and pleasure (Isa. 46: 9-12). Further he says that, "all things are to Him," our sovereign God is working all things to an eternal end that will glorify Himself. We can apply this three fold rule to many things, such as creation and providence, but lets us consider them in salvation.
1). ALL THINGS IN SALVATION ARE OF GOD! Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). None but God could have devised such a way of salvation such as the gospel of Jesus Christ presents, wherein God can be just and the justifier of the ungodly (Rom. 3:26). God ordained the hour when the Saviour would come (Gal. 4:4). God ordained the hour when He would die as the believers substitute for sin (2 Cor. 5:21). God ordained the hour when Jesus Christ would be raised from the dead and exalted to glory (Rom. 4:25).
2). ALL THINGS IN SALVATION ARE THROUGH HIM! Salvation is a work given to Jesus Christ by the Father to accomplish. He did not fail to complete the task He was given (Isa. 42:4). He prayed and declared in John 17:4, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." In the fulfillment and accomplishment of salvation man has no part in it. Carefully read this scripture: "When He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:3). Every spiritual blessing we enjoy comes to us through Jesus Christ alone (Eph. 1:3). God apart from Christ is a consuming fire (Heb.12:29).
3). ALL THINGS IN SALVATION ARE TO HIM! What is the grand design of God in the salvation of His people? His glory! Our eternal God is wisely and rightly working all things to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. "Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God" (Rom. 15:7). The motive of God to save His people from their sin is found in Himself, and that motive and purpose is His glory. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive, power, and riches, and wisdom and honour, and glory (Rev. 5:12). By Tom Harding
