v 9. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
Rescuing sinful humanity from the consequences of wrongdoing was not a sudden impulsive but loving act on God’s part. His plan from before the beginning of time was to redeem a fallen and spoilt creation through Jesus and so reveal himself as a God of Grace. How else could we know about God’s grace except by seeing the full scope of it in Christ? We might know a little of his power as we reflect on the vastness of the universe, and we might imagine something of his glory as we marvel at the beauty of his creation – but how could we begin to grasp his nature as a God of Grace – not dealing with us as we deserve but in kindness – unless we glimpse it in Christ? As a moral being I know deep down that I am far from a perfect person – and yet God has demonstrated his grace and kindness in sending Jesus as my Redeemer.
Read thoughtfully however! God’s purpose in doing this – from the beginning – is to call us to a holy life. God’s plan of grace was to transform imperfect people into his own holy people. Forgiveness and salvation were not the entire plan; transformation into holy people was part and parcel of his purpose.
Today, rejoice that God has accepted and saved you; then go on to work that out in holy living in the rough and tumble of everyday life.