The Golden Chain of Salvation
Election in Eternity Past He chose us in Christ before the
foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless
before Him. In love, He predestined us for
adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the
purpose of His will. The Father's eternal decree is
the foundation. Without election, no one would
be effectually called. Effectual Calling In Time And
those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He
called He also justified. Through the outward gospel proclamation,
the Spirit makes the call inwardly effectual, summoning the elect
to Christ. This is where the decree of God
begins to be applied in the life of the chosen sinner. REGENERATION
NEW BIRTH Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of
water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born
of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to
you, you must be born again. The Spirit, through the call,
gives new life. This is the new heart promised
in Ezekiel 36. Effectual calling and regeneration
are intimately connected. The call is the summons. Regeneration
is the granting of life that makes response possible. CONVERSION
FAITH AND REPENTANCE Faith. For it has been granted to you
that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him,
but also suffer for his sake. Faith is a gift granted by God
as a fruit of regeneration. Repentance Then to the Gentiles
also God has granted repentance that leads to life. Repentance,
like faith, is granted by God and flows from the Spirit's work.
Together, faith and repentance are man's first conscious acts,
in response to the Spirit's effectual call and regenerating power.
Justification Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Justification
is a judicial act of God by which He declares every true believer
to be perfectly righteous and acceptable to Him, solely on
the basis of Christ's spotless righteousness imputed to the
believer. Adoption. You have received the
spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit not only gives life,
but seals our status as adopted sons and daughters of God. Sanctification. God chose you as the first fruits
to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the
truth. The Spirit who calls and regenerates
also progressively makes the believer holy, conforming him
to Christ's image. Perseverance and Preservation
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of
God, you will receive what He has promised. He who began a
good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus
Christ to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to
present you before His glorious presence without fault and with
great joy. The Spirit's initial effectual
call guarantees the believer's ongoing preservation, glorification
in eternity future. Those whom He justified, He also
glorified. The golden chain of salvation
ends with the believer fully conformed to the image of Christ
in resurrection glory.