God’s ultimate purpose in salvation is an interesting concept to think through. Why would God send His Son to die on a cross for those whom have condemned themselves? God has done much to make His plan of salvation work out and there is still more to come before the plan if fully realized. Jesus has already died on the cross and made the payment for all sin except one. He has sent out His apostles to establish the Church and instruct believers in how to conduct themselves. He has been working in the past and present day drawing people to Him and using the church to preach the Word to those whom He has drawn. God’s plan of salvation is not a simple one.
The purpose of God’s plan of salvation, is to restore His created order. Genesis one “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…God saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good.” God created everything perfect and good. He created everything exactly how He wanted it and liked it. But, through the actions of Adam and Eve we have corrupted and continue to corrupt what God has made perfect and the way He desires it. In Genesis Three Adam sinned and gave up the glory of God for a fruit. Since the beginning we have destroyed the created that God made and He said was good. Now God is restoring His creation through His plan of redemption.
Through God saving some He will renew the redeemed to a sinless state and keep us from sin. He will renew His earth and all of the heavens, back to the way in which He called it good. Through God’s complicated plan of redemption/salvation God is turning back all the destruction we have caused. The Bible has laid out His process of renewing creation, that through a tribulation the earth will be cleansed and renewed.
The process of salvation is laid out through Scripture. Romans 10:9 says “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Through confession we receive the blessing of God’s grace and forgiveness. Through the book of James we come to understand that if we truly have faith, and we are truly saved it will show in our life and our actions. This is the beginning of the process and the end will be with a new perfect body, much like Jesus had when He was resurrected.
As we think through God’s purposes for doing things what ultimately is His purpose for all things? His purpose is always to glorify Himself (Haggard, 1995). God does all for His good pleasure (Isaiah 46:10) and God takes pleasure in His glory and being glorified. In Ephesians 1:4-6
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
He has done all this to the praise of His glory. This is the most important concept of the Bible. We must think God centered and realize that all things are for Him and by Him. He has not called us to salvation for our good but so that He could be glorified.
What are some of the ways God is glorified through His plan of salvation? God is glorified by His mercy and grace (Ryrie, 1997). In saving some He has held back that which we have earned and He has given us that which we have not earned. By not saving some God shows His justice and wrath. Through allowing man to remain on this earth while He works out His plan of salvation His common grace is shown to all. Through the demonstration of His attributes God receives glory.
The definition of glorifying God is to bestow honor and praise to Him. God can also glorify Himself by having creation bestow honor and praise to Him. Simply He can and is glorified by the praise of His attributes. In all the things God has done on this earth, whether for those who are redeemed or those who are dammed, His character (attributes) are shown. Through the exercising of His complete personality God is glorified in every way. This is the ultimate purpose of everything.
Often thought of as the Sunday School answer as if searching for something deeper, but it is the correct answer and truth. So often, we try to over complicate things and we try to understand things from our view point, but God is the creator and the center of all. When we look through our view we become self concerned and neglect the truth that everything is for Him. If we understood that all things are for Him, I believe we would live a much holier and devoted life.
As we become prideful and seek to complicate and understand every detail we exalt ourselves. In the process of exalting our selves we bring God down, and as we bring Him down we sin against Him. Even though we are saved we sin against Him and He shows us grace. Thereby, being more glorified.
Some might say the plan of salvation is for the good or benefit of mankind but this is a heartless stance. This idea has no heart or central support in Scripture. If this were God’s plan He would save all mankind but He does not. He does not save all because His point is not solely to help men or save them but to glorify Himself. We all glorify God in some way. He chooses some to glorify Himself in one way and others in another, much like the potter and the clay.
In conclusion, the ultimate purpose for everything God does if for His glory and the declaration of His attributes. Praise God we are the recipients of salvation He bestows demonstrating His grace, mercy, through Love bringing glory to Himself in the process of renewing creation which also brings Glory to Himself (Spurgeon, 2002). In all things we should be thankful, humble ourselves, it is not about us but about Him, and glorify Him.
References
Spurgeon, C. H. (2002). All of Grace: The Infinite Love of God. Whitaker House.
Ryrie, C. C. (1997). So great salvation: What it means to believe in Jesus Christ. Moody Publishers.
Haggard, T. (1995). Primary Purpose. Orlando, Creation House.