In this chapter, we examine God’s eternal plan regarding the salvation of human beings. Understanding this plan is essential for grasping the purpose of Christ’s death.
God’s Sovereign Plan of Salvation
The salvation of sinners is not an accident or a response to unforeseen circumstances. It is the result of God’s eternal counsel, formed before the world was created. Scripture teaches that God has a specific and deliberate plan: He chose some individuals for salvation, and He provided everything necessary for their redemption.
As the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 1:4-5, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world… in love, He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.” This passage shows that God’s plan is both personal and purposeful.
The Trinity’s Role in Salvation
The work of salvation is a unified act of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity has a distinct role:
- The Father: The Father is the architect of salvation. He chose a specific group of people, the elect, to receive His grace. This choice was not based on anything they would do but purely on His mercy and love (Romans 9:16).
- The Son: The Son, Jesus Christ, accomplishes salvation through His life, death, and resurrection. His mission was to redeem the elect, those the Father had given Him (John 6:37-39).
- The Holy Spirit: The Spirit applies the benefits of Christ’s work to the elect, bringing them to faith and transforming their hearts (Titus 3:5).
These roles demonstrate that the plan of salvation is consistent and unified, with no division or conflict within the Godhead.
God’s Purpose for Christ’s Death
The Father sent the Son into the world with a specific purpose: to save the elect. Jesus said, “This is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day” (John 6:39). The focus here is clear: Christ came to accomplish the salvation of those chosen by God.
If Christ’s death were intended for everyone universally, but not everyone is saved, it would mean either:
- God’s will can be thwarted, or
- Christ’s sacrifice was not sufficient.
Both ideas contradict the teachings of Scripture. Instead, Christ’s death is both sufficient and effective for its intended purpose: the salvation of the elect.
The Harmony of God’s Will and Christ’s Work
God’s eternal plan ensures that Christ’s death is not a mere offer of salvation but a guaranteed accomplishment. The Father’s will aligns perfectly with the Son’s mission and the Spirit’s application of grace. This unity ensures that God’s plan of salvation is fulfilled completely and without failure.
Conclusion
God’s counsel concerning salvation is clear:
- He chose the elect for salvation in eternity past.
- Christ’s death was specifically intended to save these chosen people.
- The Holy Spirit applies the benefits of Christ’s work to the elect, bringing them to faith and eternal life.
This understanding of God’s plan gives believers great assurance. Salvation does not depend on human effort or chance but on the unchanging will of God. In the next chapter, we will explore how this truth is revealed in the actions of God through Christ’s atoning work.
A Modern English translation of Book 1, Chapter 2 of John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
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