“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” Romans 3:24
The word ‘freely’ in the text is the same word that our Lord used in His reference in Psalm 69:4 in the statement of John 15:25, “They hated me without a cause.” Our being saved and justified before God is of pure sovereign grace and not of anything foreseen in the sinner. It is very clear that God has from eternity purposed to save a people. . But what is the cause of this purpose? Psalm 106:8 gives the cause, “Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known.” Let me raise a question or two for consideration. What does it mean for God to save sinners for His namesake? It is to show that the salvation of sinners is of the Lord from beginning to end. He is the author and finisher, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of our redemption. It was a pleasure that He found in His love and mercy that moved Him to save sinners and certainly not of their poor and pitiable state. Nor was it reward for merit of moral works, but that His grace might be glorified. In contrast to popular religious thought, which says that “God has His part and sinners have their part in salvation,” let me raise a second question. What part of salvation does God work for His namesake? Every part of it! It is His free and sovereign work and in every part it is designed to get glory and honor for Him alone. Allow me to show in conclusion from scripture that in every part of salvation it is the gracious, merciful Lord working. Election is the first part and beginning of salvation, and its purpose is to glorify His sovereignty, “And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy (His people), which he had afore prepared unto glory” (Romans 9:23). Redemption may be called the second part, and according to Ephesians 1:7, its purpose is to glorify His accomplishments, “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” In II Timothy 1:9 we are clearly taught that the purpose of His effectual calling is to glorify His unfrustrated eternal decree, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, NOT according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. Sanctification is His work for us and in us, and is for the purpose of His glory alone, “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (I Corinthians 1:30-31). Perseverance is His work in us and glorifies His power over our enemies (see Philippians 2:13). Our glorification unquestionably is His work, and will consummate His ultimate glory to save His people. All the means of salvation; the Gospel, repentance, faith, and prayer are gifts of His grace and redound to His honor and glory alone.
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