Three in One . . .

God often works in triplicate. Whole books have been written about this, but for me, two things come to mind. One is that He created elements in triplicate. For example, H²O is ice, water and steam. Others are also found in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms.

The second is God’s salvation. As today’s devotional by Fortner says, Christians are saved, being saved, and will be saved. Like enlisting in the army, we become soldiers immediately, then learn to act like soldiers, then finish up our service, far more distinguished as in the beginning, yet soldiers all through.

I have been saved.

“God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

In eternity past, God went down His to-do list and began the work of saving sinners. His check mark beside my name put me in the category of SAVED from the penalty of sin. I passed from death to eternal life.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him 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, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Ephesians 1:3–10)

I am being saved.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6) . . . for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Now God is at work in my life teaching me how to live as His child. He has set me apart, yet I’ve lots to learn and to put into practice so my behavior will match up with who I am. I’m in that column that says BEING SAVED as He gives me the power to overcome the power of sin and bring Him glory.

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:11–14)

I will be saved from the presence of sin.

“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies . . .  (Romans 8:23) Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11)

Christians fight sin all our lives, yet the promises of God encourage us. One day those battles will be over and sin will fade into oblivion. We will be perfect, like Jesus and with Him in glory. This incredible hope stands boldly before me as FUTURE GRACE, total freedom from sin’s power as my salvation is made complete.

“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” (Ephesians 1:15–19)

^^^^^^^^

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You must love the number three because it represents who You are; one God in three persons. Three is displayed in creation in a myriad of ways, and is revealed in many other examples in Your Word. As You remind me this morning, my salvation is in three stages also, another part of Your marvelous plan and another demonstration of the harmony that is in You. What else can I say except bless You, bless You, bless You!