2 Timothy 1:9

‘Who 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 times of the ages,’

For it is the Lord Who has saved us, that is, has once and for all taken us up into His purposes (Ephesians 1:3-14), reconciled us to God through the death of His Son (Romans 5:10), caused us to be accounted righteous in Him, through His blood, (Romans 3:24), and destined us to be holy and without blame before Him (Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22). For which purpose He makes us new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) and works in us to will and do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Have you responded to Christ for salvation? If so it is because He has begun to work out His purposes in you. But are you now resisting His call for you to become holy and without blame? Do you realise what that means? It means that you are resisting the eternal grace and purposes of God. Just think about that for a moment. You are fighting against infinite purpose and love. And then break down and ask His forgiveness, and begin to be what He wants you to be.

‘And called us with ‘a holy calling’ that is, has given us a call from a holy God to live as those who are set apart to Him, and to serve Him in heavenly service (however mundane it may appear to be - Ephesians 6:6). Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:7 where holiness is the opposite of uncleanness. So this is a call to spiritual purity. And all this not because of our deserts, or because of what we have merited (compare Titus 3:5), but solely because it was in His purposes, through His unlimited, unmerited favour, which was given us before all ages in Christ Jesus ‘before the time when the ages began’. Here is laid out quite plainly the sovereignty of God in His purposes, providing assurance to all who, being in Christ, are safely within those purposes through faith (‘the elect’ - 2 Timothy 2:10). For those purposes began even before time began, and were destined for all who believe on Him with genuine faith. And they are not given to us for any deserts or merit that we have, but result solely for His purpose and grace (unmerited active favour). And they result in His being within us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13), but we must still ‘work it out’ with greatest care (Philippians 2:12).

For this call of God compare for its majestic splendour in God’s scheme of things - Romans 8:28; for its being centred in the unmerited favour of God - Galatians 1:6; for its requiring responsive holiness - 1 Peter 1:1-16.