April 3
Preserved in Jesus Christ
“To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ”
Jude 1
[It] may be said “to be saved” [is] in the purpose of God before the world began. The apostle said that “he saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1: 9). This is the beginning of salvation, according to this beginning all things concur and fall out in conclusion— “He hath saved us according to his eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Jesus.” God in saving may be said to save us by determining to make those means effectual for the blessed completing of our salvation. Hence, we are said “to be chosen in Christ to salvation.” Again, he hath in that choice given us grace that shall complete our salvation. Yes, the text is very full, “He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1: 3 & 4).
Secondly, as we may be said to be saved in the purpose of God before the foundation of the world; so, we may be said to be saved before we are converted or called to Christ. And hence “saved” is put before “called;” “he hath saved us, and called us.” He said not, he hath called us, and saved us; but he puts saving before calling (2 Timothy 1: 9). So again, we are said to be “preserved in Christ and called;” he saith not called and preserved (Jude 1). Therefore, God said again, “I will pardon them whom I reserve”—Paul expounds it, those whom I have “elected and kept,” and this part of salvation is accomplished through the forbearance of God.