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: (Col. 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 (Titus 1:4). Here are five things to remember about the salvation that God works in His elect (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 judgment against our sin (Rom. 6:23; Ezk. 18:4). God in His mercy (Titus 3:5), is the One who has made us fit for His presence through Christ Jesus alone (1 Cor. 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 (Heb. 7:25).
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 (1 Cor. 1:21) and the effectual work of the Holy Spirit within (2 Pet. 1:9; Eph. 2:1; John 6:63).
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), 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 (Eph. 1:7), but also righteousness established and freely imputed (Rom. 4:1-6).
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 (Heb. 1:3; 1 Tim. 3:16). This gives power and glory to His priestly work (Acts 20:28; Heb. 2:17; Phil. 2:6).