Purpose of God's Good Plan in Salvation History
God's good plan in salvation history centers on the deliverance of humanity from sin and its consequences, a plan that originates in God's eternal purpose and is accomplished through Jesus Christ [1, 6, 7]. This divine purpose, often referred to as predestination or election, governs all events and is rooted in God's sovereign will [1, 5]. While the full scope of this doctrine is considered among the "secret things" of God, Scripture reveals its core aspects [1].
The concept of salvation itself signifies a great deliverance from the guilt and pollution of sin, a work uniquely achieved by Jesus Christ [7]. This salvation is entirely "of God" and "of the purpose of God," not dependent on human merit or works [6, 9]. Ephesians 2:5 states that believers are "made alive together with Christ" by God's grace, emphasizing that salvation is a gift [8]. Similarly, Titus 3:5 clarifies that salvation is "not because" of human actions but "because" of God's mercy [9].
God's plan for salvation was announced early in biblical history, following the fall of humanity (Genesis 3:15), and was progressively revealed through the Old Testament prophets concerning both Israel and the Gentiles [6]. The New Testament further unveils this plan, particularly in the gospel [6]. The "day of salvation" is a recurring theme, reflecting the culmination of God's plan, as predicted in the Old Testament and associated with light and good deeds in contrast to darkness and evil [15].
A key aspect of God's good plan is the transformation of believers. Through salvation, individuals are "created anew in Christ Jesus" [10]. This new nature, given by God's Spirit, enables believers to live out the "good things he planned for us" [10, 13]. Good works are thus a result of salvation, not its cause, flowing from a transformed heart [10]. The will of God is for believers to do good, silencing the ignorance of foolish people and even suffering for well-doing [2, 3]. This grace not only makes a good life possible but also creates people devoted to good works and enlists them in God's saving work of evangelism [16].
God's plan extends to all people, as His grace has "been revealed... salvation to all people" [16]. This includes Gentiles, who, through Christ, are fully accepted into God's family alongside believing Jews [11]. The ultimate purpose is for believers to share God's glory and blessings, experiencing resurrection both now and in the future, united with Christ Jesus [12]. Even adversities are part of this plan, as all things work together for good for those in Christ [14]. Joseph's statement in Genesis 50:20, "Ye, indeed, planned against me, evil,—God, planned it, for good," illustrates this overarching divine purpose [4].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:15 (LEB) — For the will of God is as follows: by doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 3:17 — For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”
- Genesis “Genesis 50:20 (Rotherham) — Ye, indeed, planned against me, evil,—God, planned it, for good, for the sake of doing, as at this day, to save alive much people.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Salvation — Is of God -- Ps 3:8; 37:39; Jer 3:23. Is of the purpose of God -- 2Ti 1:9. Is of the appointment of God -- 1Th 5:9. God is willing to give -- 1Ti 2:4. Is by Christ -- Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23. Is by Christ alone -- Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12. Announced after the fall -- Ge 3:15. Of Israel, predicted -- Isa 35:4; 45:17; Zec 9:16; Ro 11:26. Of the Gentiles, predicted -- Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10. Revealed in the gospel -- Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:10. Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews -- Ro 11:11. Christ The Captain of. -- Heb 2:10. The Author of. -- Heb 5:9”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Salvation — This word is used of the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians (Ex. 14:13), and of deliverance generally from evil or danger. In the New Testament it is specially used with reference to the great deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ, "the great salvation" (Heb. 2:3). (See [546]REDEMPTION; [547]REGENERATION.)”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:19: 2:19 Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers and foreigners (2:11-12, 17). Through Christ, they are fully accepted into God’s family. They become children of God, just like believing Jews (see Rom 8:14-17).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:20: thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 13:12: 13:12-13 the day of salvation: The word day reflects two sources. First, the Old Testament repeatedly predicts the day of the Lord when God’s plan culminates (see Isa 13:4-13; Jer 3:18; 30:8-9; Joel 2:1-32; Obad 1:15-18). Second, the tradition of moral instruction in the ancient world associated light/daytime with good and darkness/nighttime with evil. The Greeks, Romans, and Jews all used this contrast. Because believers belong to the day they should be living out its values, avoiding the dark deeds that are typical of nighttime.”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 2:11: 2:11-15 For: The commands of 2:1-10 are here grounded in the past and future coming of Christ. God’s grace is a model for the church’s own conduct, even as salvation by grace makes a good life possible and creates people devoted to good works (see also 3:3-7). 2:11 has been revealed (literally has appeared): See study note on 1 Tim 6:14. • salvation to all people: Paul intends that God’s grace will fully accomplish its ends among the Cretans and that, in doing so, it will enlist them into God’s saving work of evangelism (Titus 2:12; see 1 Tim 2:1-7; 4:10).”