Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians. 1:12-15).
In these verses of scripture, the Apostle to the Gentiles reminds every believer in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, about their spiritual biography. Paul gives to us a summary regarding the experience of grace that is common to all who believe the gospel of sovereign, and irresistible grace (Acts 15:11). Here are five things to remember about the salvation that God works in His elect ( John 10:27-30; Phil. 1:6).
1). God made us fit or qualified to be saints, "The Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." All those saved by the grace of God through the righteousness and blood of Christ are unfit by nature to be a partaker of the inheritance of grace (Rom.3:23; 5:12). The only thing that we deserve to be a partaker of is God's holy judgement against our sin (Rom.6:23; Ezk.18:4). God in His sovereign mercy (Titus 3:5; Rom.9:16), is the One who has made us fit for His presence through Christ Jesus alone (1Cor.1:30; 4:7; Eph.1:6).
2). God delivered us from the power of sin, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness." Darkness of sin and spiritual ignorance is our state by nature and birth (Eph. 2:12; 4:18). Because of our spiritual condition we are unable to deliver ourselves from this horrible position (John 6:44). Thank God that He is able to save to the uttermost according to His mighty power (Heb7:25; 2Tim.1:9).
3). God translated us into Christ Jesus, "…. Translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." Every believer has been called out of darkness into His marvelous light through the preaching of the gospel of Christ (1Cor.1:21;1Cor2:2) and the effectual work of the Holy Spirit within (2 Pet. 1:9; Eph.2:1; John 6:63). "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor.4:6).
4). God redeemed us through His precious blood, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sin." God has only designed one way of redemption from sin (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), which is through the effectual and eternal blood atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:12; 1 Pet.1:18). We have not only forgiveness of sin in Christ (Eph.1:7), but also righteousness established in Christ and freely imputed (Rom. 4:1-6; 2 Cor.5:21). This salvation and pardon from all sin is received by God given faith not works. "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed (Rom.4:16).
5). God Himself is our Redeemer, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn (Lord) of every creature" Our Lord Jesus Christ is the exact image of the invisible God, for He is God manifested in the flesh (Heb.1:3; 1Tim3:16). This gives power and glory to all His priestly work that He performed on the behalf of His covenant people (Acts 20:28; Heb.2:17; Phil.2:6-9). "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever" (Heb.13:20-21). This again shows us that salvation is all of God's eternal purpose and sovereign grace revealed and given in Christ Jesus our Lord (2 Thes.2:13-16; 2 Tim.1:9).