II Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an 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, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”
Our Salvation and Calling are “not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace”. They are endowed upon the Children of God according to our Lord’s Holy “purpose”; that is, He determined that it would surely be, and He has made us aware of it. Paul also tells us that He determined it to be “after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11). And, Paul also tells us that our Lord “did predestinate” (Romans 8:29-30) it to be exactly according to His Holy “purpose and grace” and “will”; that is, He determined that it would be, then firmly set it in the “Rock” (Deuteronomy 32:4); assuring us that it would be exactly according to His “will”. Furthermore, it is “according to his own … grace” because we are not practically or innately worthy of it; for, “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.” and He saw that “They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Psalms 14:2-3) and that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Consequently, our Eternal Relationship with God is assured to us according to His Holy “purpose and grace” and “will”. Thus, we have a “lively hope” (I Peter 1:3) and we joyfully sing, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me” (John Newton)!