God's Everlasting Purpose
C. Clayton, M. A. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,… I. GOD'S PURPOSE is — 1. That we should not be lost. We all deserve wrath. All have sinned, and every sin the Divine indignation will avenge. The longer we live in sin, therefore, the greater the amount of wrath our iniquities are treasuring up. And yet, although we are daily provoking the Divine anger, God has not appointed us to wrath. He willeth not the death of a sinner. 2. That we should be saved. The kingdom He has prepared from the foundation of the world. (1) This should comfort us in trial. God's purpose none can frustrate. "Fear not, little flock," etc. (2) Don't distress yourselves about election. God has told you that His will is that all men should be saved , and, therefore, if any one perishes, it is not because of God's secret purpose, but His own want of inclination. "Ye will not come." II. ITS ACCOMPLISHMENT. 1. There is only one way in which God's purpose can be effected: "By our Lord Jesus Christ." "Neither is there salvation in any other." The grand subject of Christianity is Christ; and those who do not make Christ all in all are like those Jewish builders who refused "the headstone of the corner," or like the foolish man who built on the sand. 2. In what respect salvation is through Jesus Christ is plainly told us: "Who died for us." Christ's death rescues us from wrath. That which our sins provoked was borne by Christ. 3. How sad the mistake of those who think little or nothing of Christ's atonement, on which hinges our salvation. "He that believeth," and he only, "shall be saved." III. ITS EFFECTS. 1. Life with Christ on earth. "Whether we wake." "To me to live is Christ." To this end Christ was called Emmanuel. This life is in union with Christ. Wherever you go, Christ goes. He never leaves or forsakes you. 2. Life with Christ in heaven. Our bodies sleep, but not our souls. "Absent from the body," etc. "This day shalt thou be with Me in paradise." This association will be — (1) More intimate than that on earth. (2) More blessed. (3) More enduring.Conclusion: We hence perceive — 1. The nature of our present existence. If we are Christians, this life is only the porch to a better; if not, a porch to a worse. 2. The readiness of God to save. "He willeth not the death of a sinner." (C. Clayton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, WEB: For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,