“And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48)
This simple declaration in Acts 13 echoes the central theme of the Gospel, that God’s unmerited and unbounded, loving and sacrificial grace is the foundation on which our salvation rests. God’s grand plan of redemption was not fabricated on a mere whim, any more than Christ’s death was just another event in the scroll of human history. Rather, salvation by grace represents God’s sovereign intent to glorify Himself and His Son by redeeming those lost souls He ordained in eternity past to be His own.
This intricately woven golden tapestry of redemption was designed, orchestrated, and eternally secured before the very foundation of the earth was laid (Rev. 13:8). And the surety for our redemption was the sinless life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection of God’s Only Begotten Son. The very idea that the omnipotent, omniscient God would send His Son into the world without a guaranteed assurance of this mission’s success is inconceivable. Such a monumental act of love as the substitutionary sacrifice of the Lamb of God could not be left to chance or uncertainty.
Do you often wonder, in quiet moments of reflection, about the weight of such divine intention? It isn’t merely that Christ died to save us; it is that the entire trajectory of this sacrifice was predetermined, rooted in the eternal counsel of God. The Triune God knew, well before He created the world, both whom He would save and how He would secure their salvation. As Ephesians 1:3-4 reminds us, “He chose us in Him before the world began.” Before we even existed, God in His infinite mercy chose to extend His grace to us and save us. What an astounding thought!
This truth speaks to both the certainty of God’s plan and the specificity of His intention. “The event itself (which depends upon the most free and wise dispensation of God) sufficiently indicates what was the mind and will of the caller, since nothing can happen beyond his intention.”[1]
And as believers, our Christian walk doesn’t end with merely recognizing this grace. We are reassured that the same grace that initiated our spiritual change will see it through to its glorious end, because our perseverance is not rooted in our own strength. Rather, it is anchored in God’s promises. Philippians 1:6 assures us that the good work begun in us will be brought to completion. What a comfort to know that our salvation does not depend on our fluctuating faith or wavering commitment, but on the steadfast love and grace of God.
Contemplations
- Humility: The more I ponder on Acts 13:48, the more I am humbled. God’s grace is not a result of my deeds or intrinsic value, but a reflection of His boundless love. It reminds me to continually look away from myself and towards the source of my salvation.
- Sovereignty: Recognizing that God chose specific individuals for salvation, I often grapple with the mystery of His will. But in moments of doubt, I am comforted by the knowledge that Your ways are higher than mine.
- Assurance: Knowing that my salvation is eternally secure in Christ fills me with inexplicable peace. Even in moments when I falter or stray, I am reminded of Your promise to see me through to the end.
- Gratitude: Every time I read Ephesians 1:3-4, a profound sense of gratitude wells up within me. To think that You, in Your infinite wisdom, chose me before the world began is both overwhelming and humbling.
- Response: While my salvation isn’t rooted in my deeds, understanding the depth of Your grace motivates me to live in a way that honors You. I am compelled, not out of obligation, but out of profound gratitude, to serve and love You wholeheartedly.
Further References for Acts 13:48:
Acts 2:47; John 10:27; Rom. 11:7; Jude 1:21
[1] Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, ed. James T. Dennison Jr., trans. George Musgrave Giger, vol. 1 (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1992–1997), 416–417.
