I rejoice to read and think upon the blessed Savior who accomplished the work of redemption. In the stead of His chosen people, Christ perfectly obeyed the law of God by which He established righteousness for us. Having rendered that obedience in our stead, He fully bore the curse of the law by being made a curse for us in order to put away our sins. The good Shepherd fully paid the indebtedness His sheep owed to divine justice. All of the legal requirements for our salvation have been accomplished by our Representative. A great transaction took place upon the cross between God and the Surety of the elect. The Father is completely satisfied with the work of His Son, which satisfaction was evidenced by His resurrection, ascension and enthronement at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Christ has "obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12).
Having said that, is that the full extent of the Bible’s declaration of salvation, the legal side of it? Certainly it is delightful to dwell upon the work of the Lord for us, yet there must also be a work of God within us by which we are brought to believe, love and rejoice in Christ Jesus. Salvation must be experienced in the heart, and that is accomplished by the Spirit of grace. He must quicken spiritually dead sinners, apply the blood of Christ, and grant faith in the dear Savior. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:5-7).
Now, as to that work of grace performed within us by God the Spirit which results in our believing Christ, does that in any way take away from or lessen the glory of the work of the Redeemer for us? Of course not. Note those words just quoted, "which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior." The grace of God communicated to the sinner in regeneration flows out of the fulness of Christ. The Redeemer promised to send His Spirit, and with Him, every supply of grace. The Savior said in John 16:7 that as a result of His substitutionary death, the Holy Spirit would be sent. "It is expedient for you that I go away." "I go away" was a reference to His voluntary death which was "expedient," that is, absolutely necessary to save us from eternal death, ruin and destruction. "For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come He will reprove...of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" The work of the Holy Spirit within us, therefore, is based upon the redemptive work of Christ for us. Just as surely as there had to be the one, there has to be the other. Since our Redeemer accomplished the legality of salvation for His elect, all the chosen ones will experience a work of grace within, performed by the Spirit, Who brings them by faith into a living and everlasting union with the Savior.
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