Paul urged Timothy, not to be ashamed of “the testimony of our Lord” (2 Tim. 1:8). The wonderful conclusion, which is found in the above verse, is the result of what God has done through Christ, “Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling” (v. 9). What is the purpose of our calling? It is this: “As He who has called you is holy, be ye also holy in all your conversation” (1 Pet. 1:15). But not only this, furthermore it is, “to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Th. 2:14). This salvation is not according to our works, but it was according to His own purpose and grace. His purpose, or will, is His deliberate design to bring to pass certain things. These were given us in Christ before the world began. God made Him the depository of them. They have now been revealed “by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 1:10), who, by His death and resurrection, has brought them into full display. His death is the basis on which God’s purpose and grace were accomplished in our salvation. Moreover, He “has annulled death, and brought to light life and incorruptibility by the glad tidings.” The legacy of the first man, Adam, is sin and death. Man is mortal, and this is the condition of all. Sin cut short man’s life (Rom. 5:12). But, Christ has brought “life,” resurrection life, to light and, since man is also corruptible and subject to corruption, “incorruptibility” also. And so, at the resurrection, “this corruptible must needs put on incorruptibility, and this mortal put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:53).

God is both incorruptible and immortal (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16), and we, by His grace, will partake of those qualities in relation to our mortal bodies.

What a complete salvation is ours in Christ! It is not merely a salvation of our souls; but it will extend to our bodies also at the resurrection. His name be praised!