The Beneficiaries

The problem for everyone ever conceived in his or her mother’s womb is sin, leading to death, leading to judgment, leading to eternal punishment. The one and only solution to this universal problematic sequence is Jesus Christ, sent from heaven to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21; Jn 3:16; Titus 1:3; 2:13; 3:6). It is the utmost imperative that you believe God’s authoritative report in these matters, that is, God’s faithful and true record of the plight of man and God’s salvation. This communique is the Bible.

The Bible reveals what God wants us to know about humanity and divinity, the Godhead, three-in-One. God and man are at enmity with one another (Rom 5:10), and there is only one way of reconciliation (Jn 14:6). God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Cor 5:18–20). In other words, all things must be put into subjection to the man that God has put in charge of the new order (Ps 110:1). Jesus is that man, and there is no one beside Him (1 Tim 2:5). Only Jesus Christ can accomplish what concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8), and what should concern us is reconciling our estrangement and having peace with God (Rom 5:1).

The God who makes peace with His ungodly enemies, displays both His justice and His mercy in doing so. Every sinner deserves the wrath of God, and every person is a sinner (Rom 1:18; 3:23). It is forever just for God to pour out punishment on lawless rebels. He does that for most of humanity, but for some chosen people…there is mercy, by His own sovereign will and choice (Jn 1:12–13; Rom 9:15–16, 23). Justice and mercy are a reality for those upon whom the blood of Christ is sprinkled by God’s grace (1 Pet 1:2).

Recipients of the sprinkled blood of the covenant of grace, shed on the cross of Calvary, have the forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:28; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:22). This covenant between God and man has one Mediator who represents both parties. He is the God-man, Jesus Christ, our Lord (1 Tim 2:5).

In being sent into the world by God the Father (Jn 3:16), the Son of God announced the terms of the covenant, the promises that God would fulfill by His grace, alone. Jesus satisfied many of these promises during His earthly ministry at His first advent. He is coming again, at His second advent, to finish much of the rest of what God has promised.

In order for any one of us to be a beneficiary of this covenant of grace, one must be an object of God’s mercy and grace. If one is a beneficiary then it will become manifest in that person’s life (spiritual gifts, fruit of the Spirit, witness of Jesus, etc.). It is the grace of God that transforms the rebel sinner into a grateful saint (Eph 2:8–10). The Agent of the beneficiary’s transformation is the Holy Spirit of God sent from the Father and the Son (Jn 14:26; 15:26).

It is the Spirit of God who applies the covenant works that benefit the beneficiary (Is 26:12; Phil 2:13). The Spirit Himself is one of the benefits being given as a gift of God by God (Lk 11:13; Acts 2:38; 10:45). The entry point of the Spirit’s work is called, “baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11).” The Spirit enters the soul and begins his permanent occupation and the mighty works of God in the beneficiary (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Cor 3:16; Gal 4:6; 2 Tim 1:14; Jas 4:5). This is a permanent indwelling and faithful work of sanctification that finally results in a glorified body and soul for the beneficiary (Rom 8:30; 1 Cor 15).

The indwelling Person and work of the Spirit of Christ is complemented by the Spirit repositioning the beneficiary to the place of benefit (Rom 8:1; 1 Cor 1:30; Col 1:13). That place is the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, which is phrased, “in Christ.” All the blessings and benefits of this union with Christ are enjoyed by all of the beneficiaries, together (Eph 1:3; 1 Jn 4:13). The body of beneficiaries, collectively called, “Christ’s church” is the Israel of God (Gal 6:16).

Israel is the holy nation of royal priests (1 Pet 2:9), who serve under our great High Priest, Jesus Messiah, after the order of Melchizedek (Gen 14:18; Ps 110:4; Heb 4:14–16; 5:6; 9:11). Not all ethnic Israel (Jews) is Israel (elect, redeemed, regenerate, believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue). A remnant people, both Jew and Gentile, comprise this gathered congregation occupying both heaven and earth (Gal 3:28; Rev 5:9; 7:9).

The chosen people of God on the earth dwell within the embassy of Christ in the hostile territory of the kingdom of this world. As ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20), our ministry is to reconnaissance the lost and disoriented sheep belonging to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ (Mt 28:19–20; Jn 10; 1 Cor 3:23). By the indwelling Spirit, the preacher of God’s message, the Gospel, heralds the Word of repentance and faith for reconciliation with God (Rom 1:16–17; 1 Cor 1:23; 2:2, 4; 2 Tim 4:2).

The problem is presented along with the solution, “In Adam, you die. In Christ, you live.” Therefore, it is wise for you to learn God’s way of salvation for those who are named “heirs” from eternity (Rom 8:17; Gal 3:29; Eph 3:6).

First, God graciously chose to predestine some people to adoption, as His children, to be saved from His wrath directed against sinners (Eph 1:4–5; 1 Thess 1:10).

Second, when Adam sinned and poisoned all humanity (His offspring), it was in God’s predetermined plan to save His elect from every nation, from their sins (Mt 1:21).

Third, the eternal Son of God was sent from heaven to be the faithful covenant partner, representing the people His Father had given to Him to be their Savior (Jn 6:37; 17:2, 6, 24; Titus 1:3; 2:13; 3:5–6).

Fourth, when Jesus’ work was done here, which included His perfect sinless life and acceptable substitutionary sacrifice on the Roman cross (Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:24), He was raised to life from death and returned to heaven to be enthroned at the right hand of Majesty (Jn 3:13; Acts 2:34; Eph 4:10; 1 Cor 15; Ps 110:1).

Fifth, the Father and the Son sent the Spirit of God to do His many and varied works to further fulfill God’s covenant promises (Jn 14:26; 15:26; Acts 2, 10).

Sixth, the Spirit’s work is to give the life of God to God’s elect, redeemed people through regeneration (Jn 3:1–8; 6:63; Eph 2:5; Col 2:13; 1 Pet 1:3). The Spirit causes the elect to be born again. He repositions them into Christ, into His church, the kingdom of God in the Spirit (Rom 14:17).

Finally, following the death of the saints, a resurrection from the dead has been appointed for the last day of history, judgment day, the day of Christ’s return (Jn 5:28–29; 1 Thess 4:13–5:11; Rev 19:11–21). A resurrection to life awaits the glorified saints, in contrast with a resurrection to judgment for reprobate sinners. The will and testament of God excludes the reprobate from receipt of the priceless inheritance reserved in heaven for the adopted children of God (Rom 8:15, 23; 1 Pet 1:4).

Here is the salvation of our covenant God, resulting in eternal bliss for the beneficiaries and eternal torment for unjust sinners rightly judged. The beneficiaries of grace rejoice in the reading and preaching of the will of God, the Bible, that declares the fulfillment of all the promises of God. God has done great things! Do you join us in rejoicing? If yes, then you must be a beneficiary of so great a salvation.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

May 17, 2022