The salvation of man is an act of God’s grace that is meant for the glory of God. That is, the ultimate purpose, is that God be praised for his mercy and grace by those whom he has graciously saved! That fundamental purpose becomes apparent when one sees the “why” and the “how” of salvation.
Why did God save us? Paul says in 1 Cor 1:26-29, “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” God saved us not based on any good, outstanding, charming quality in us, but rather for the lack of those things. It is not because of our ability to improve God’s kingdom that he saved us! Paul pulls the rug of pride right out from under us and discloses to us that God saved us precisely because we did not have anything to offer him so that being saved by him from sheer grace we would not boast in self but boast in God!
How did God save us? Paul answers that question in the next two verses, 30-31. “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” Our salvation is entirely achieved through the work of Christ Jesus from beginning to end leaving no room for us to claim one single accomplishment as our own! As a result, the Lord receives 100% of the glory! Our boast is in him not in ourselves! To God be the glory!
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