Yesterday I wrote about 2Timothy 1:9: “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” [HCSB]
God provided the grace in Christ Jesus for our salvation and holy calling (our individual salvation and holy calling) before we were created. Now Paul tells Timothy that there is evidence that is so.
“This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” [2 Timothy 1:10 HCSB]
Some translations render the Greek word for “evident” (phaneroó) as “having been made manifest.” The Greek word for “evident” comes from a root word meaning “light” and it means to make visible or clear, to illuminate, to become apparent.
We cannot see into creation past, but God provided proof of His abundant love and mercy, proof of our salvation and holy calling, proof of His purpose and grace given us when He sent His Son into this dark world. Jesus, the Light of the World brought the evidence of God’s love for us.
And there is even more! And that more has yet to be revealed. “Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed (phaneroó). We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is.” [1 John 3:2 HCSB]
When we see Jesus, we will be like Him. That thought should take our breath away. I cannot even imagine now what that will be like, but I can receive that promise in abundant thanksgiving.