D. Scott Meadows

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling.” —2 Timothy 1.9

The apostle uses the perfect tense and says, “Who hath saved us.” Believers in Christ Jesus are saved. They are not looked upon as persons who are in a hopeful state, and may ultimately be saved, but they are already saved. Salvation is not a blessing to be enjoyed upon the dying bed, and to be sung of in a future state above, but a matter to be obtained, received, promised, and enjoyed now. The Christian is perfectly saved in God’s purpose; God has ordained him unto salvation, and that purpose is complete. He is saved also as to the price which has been paid for him: “It is finished” [Jn 19.30] was the cry of the Savior ere he died. The believer is also perfectly saved in his covenant head, for as he fell in Adam, so he lives in Christ [Rom 5.19].

This complete salvation is accompanied by a holy calling. Those whom the Savior saved upon the cross are in due time effectually called by the power of God the Holy Spirit unto holiness: they leave their sins; they endeavor to be like Christ; they choose holiness, not out of any compulsion, but from the stress of a new nature, which leads them to rejoice in holiness just as naturally as aforetime they delighted in sin. God neither chose them nor called them because they were holy, but he called them that they might be holy, and holiness is the beauty produced by his workmanship in them. The excellencies which we see in a believer are as much the work of God as the atonement itself.

Thus is brought out very sweetly the fulness of the grace of God. Salvation must be of grace, because the Lord is the author of it [Jonah 2.9; 1 Cor 1.30]: and what motive but grace could move him to save the guilty? Salvation must be of grace, because the Lord works in such a manner that our righteousness is for ever excluded. Such is the believer’s privilege—a present salvation; such is the evidence that he is called to it—a holy life.

—C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, 12 June PM

On 2 Timothy 1.9

Paul wrote to strengthen Timothy in his courage and resolve as his partner in the gospel ministry (2 Tim 1.6–8). Toward this end, Paul explains and emphasizes the power of God which effects our salvation. The five phrases of 2 Timothy 1.9, separated by commas, rehearse various truths about this power, respectively: a) its divine accomplishment of our salvation, b) its call to holiness, c) its basis not in our works, d) but in God’s gracious purpose, and e) its eternal locus in Christ.

Spurgeon’s scriptural springboard consists of the first two phrases only, but from them, he infers some of the other truths expressly stated in the other three. Without any slip I can detect, this master evangelist, theologian, and preacher expounds two privileges of believers which, being understood and appreciated by us, go a long way to renewing our confidence and commitment in serving the Lord for the rest of our lives, whatever shame, difficulties, and discouragements we may face.

Spurgeon’s supplementary remarks on this verse

In the introduction of his only sermon upon this verse, “Salvation Altogether by Grace” (MTP #703, July 1866), Spurgeon emphasized the importance of gospel doctrine. “If we would influence thoughtful persons it must be by solid arguments. Shallow minds may be wrought upon by mere warmth of emotion and force of excitement, but the more valuable part of the community must be dealt with in quite another manner.” That manner is theological instruction and argument. Spurgeon says that 2 Timothy 1.9 is a “brief summary of the gospel” where “the grace of God” has “great prominence,” “with the design of maintaining Timothy in the boldness of his testimony for Christ. I do not doubt but that a far greater power for usefulness lies concealed within the doctrines of grace [i.e., “the five points of Calvinism”] than some men have ever dreamed of. It has been usual to look upon doctrinal truth as being nothing more than unpractical theory, [but] sound doctrine is the very root and vital energy of practical holiness, and to teach [it] is the readiest and surest way of leading them to obedience and persevering holiness.”

The structure of this devotional message

I. The Believer’s Privilege of a Present Salvation (2 Tim 1.9a)
• Saved now
• Saved in God’s eternal purpose
• Saved by Christ’s finished sacrifice
• Saved in covenantal union with Christ

II. The Believer’s Privilege of a Holy Life (2 Tim 1.9b)
• The Holy Spirit’s call
• An effectual call

III. The Fullness of God’s Grace
• The Author of salvation, the Lord
• The manner of salvation, wholly gracious

Relevance for today

Beware of any impatience with the ministries of faithful men laying a deep theological foundation by the patient exposition of Scripture, especially when their teaching is full of Christ’s person and work. Spurgeon himself exemplified such a ministry; the spiritual fruit of it in conversions and lasting edification of Christ’s church is both incalculable and enduring, even today, more than a century after Spurgeon died. Gospel indicatives must precede practical imperatives. We must glory in the cross of Christ before we will truly take up and bear our own cross in His service. Ω