The Foundation
Of the Chosen’s Salvation

“The LORD is my shepherd…” (Psalms 23:1)

The foundation of the verbal phrases that prove God’s Sovereignty is first seen in Psalm 23:1a, “The LORD is my shepherd.”

Question: How did God become My Shepherd?

God is a God of Plan and Purpose. God does not do anything by chance or dependent upon what man or nature does. God is therefore not the second reason – but the First Reason. He is the Cause; and we are the effect.

God did not create all things and then set the laws of nature and let happen what may happen. No, a thousand times no. God is the Creator of all; He is the Controller of His Creation; and He is the Consummator of His Creation.

God is Omnipresent (He is everywhere); Omnipotent (He is all-powerful); and Omniscient (He is all-knowing). (See Matthew 28:18; Proverbs 8:12; Colossians 2:3.)

To answer the question: ‘How did God become My Shepherd?’ – It is because of His Good Will and Pleasure; not based on any merit of man – but solely upon His own Will (Ephesians 1:8-11; Deuteronomy 7:6-8).

Many people today fight against the Sovereignty of God; their main objection is that it violates man’s free will. This small devotion is not the place to debate that objection.

However, the following is submitted as a very simple outline to show what the Word of God says concerning God’s Sovereignty in the Salvation of His People:

A. The Eternal Justification of God (Before Time)

There are three main Scriptures that confirm this first picture: Ephesians 1:4-11; Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20. All three of these Scripture passages prove that God had a Purpose in Christ Jesus to Redeem His Elect:

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (8) Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (10) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” (Ephesians 1:4-11)

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” (1 Peter 1:18-20)

The word Justification means to be:

1) Righteous;

2) Declared to be Righteous; and

3) To be in the Positon of Righteousness.

Justification is accomplished in the Work of Jesus Christ. This work assigned by God to manifest Himself to His Chosen People is in two phases: (1) Before Time; (2) In Time.

Justification Before Time is found in the Eternal Purpose in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:11).

Let’s look at the three Scripture passages printed above:

1) Ephesians 1:4-11:

In this passage, the Apostle Paul, divinely inspired, wrote very plainly the Mind of God toward His Elect concerning their Salvation.

This Salvation was in Christ, “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4a).

Paul then gives the reason the “us” were chosen in Him (or in Christ), “that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4b). This being “holy and without blame” was (in the Mind of God as done even before time began) accomplished in, or by, Christ Jesus through the Atonement of Christ. Here, in the Atonement of Christ, God made us “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6-7).

Paul said the foundation of this action is not man’s merits or man’s believing. But, before man was created, God eternally had a purpose in Christ Jesus. This Eternal Purpose was:

a) “According to the good pleasure of his will” (Ephesians 1:5c);

b) “To the praise of the glory of his grace” (Ephesians 1:6a);

c) “According to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself” (Ephesians 1:9c);

d) “In whom (in Christ) also we (the Chosen) have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him (God) who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11).

These verses in Ephesians 1:4-11 reveal that the Elect (or Chosen) were made right (or justified) in His Purpose in Christ Jesus.

2) Revelation 13:8:

This verse reveals Christ is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.

3) 1 Peter 1:18-20:

We (the Elect, the Chosen) were redeemed not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who (Christ) verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world.”

Look again at Revelation 13:8:

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)

None can deny the Eternal Purpose in Christ concerning the Salvation of His Chosen People before time ever began. So it is termed, Eternal Justification. That is, in the Mind of God, it was done – His Elect were declared Righteous in Christ.

B. The Judicial Justification (In Time; on the Cross)

When in time did Christ justify the Chosen of Ephesians 1:4-11?

The answer is simple:

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:24-25)

Ephesians 1:7 plainly states that the Elect’s Redemption is in the Atonement of Christ on the Cross. On the Cross, Christ was the Elect’s Substitute (He stood in their place, the term used is ‘vicarious’); He was the Sacrifice (the term used is ‘expiatory’ – meaning appeasement, satisfaction). In the Sacrifice of the Perfect Lamb of God on the Cross for the Penalty, Punishment, and Power of sin (the curse) – here God was satisfied in the Atonement of Christ. (See Isaiah 53:10-11; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:1-26; 10:1-18; Romans 5:1-21; and especially Romans 3:24-25.)

Therefore, the Apostle Paul wrote Romans 3:24-25:

(Romans 3:24):
“Being justified freely by his (God’s) grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” This validated Judicial Justification. It is through the Redemption that is in Christ. Not in Christ plus your believing – no – it was through Christ’s Work on the Cross, and in Him alone. Here the sin debt for God’s Chosen was paid in time, proven by:

(Romans 3:25a):
“Whom (Christ) God (the Father) hath set forth to be a propitiation (satisfaction, appeasement) through (the) faith (Christ is The Faith; it is not through the Believer’s faith – but in Christ and in Him alone) in his blood…” This tells how Christ accomplished Judicial Justification in time; through the Sacrifice of Himself on the Cross for the Chosen’s sin debt by being 1) their Substitute, and 2) the Perfect Sacrifice.

But Why?

(Romans 3:25b):
“…to declare his righteousness…” This Righteousness is the Righteousness of God, not man. God declared, in Christ’s Work on the Cross, His Righteousness. That is, that Christ is the Perfect Lamb of God, who satisfied the demand of the curse of the Law, which was spiritual death.

Now look at Romans 3:25c-31:

“…for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God (26) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (27) Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (28) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (29) Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: (30) Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. (31) Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” (Romans 3:25c-31)

Romans 3:27 proves that man cannot boast – for Righteousness came not by law, or of works – “Nay: but by the law of faith” – or by the Work of The Faith (Christ) on the Cross.

Therefore, His Chosen (of Ephesians 1:4-11) have been Reconciled, Redeemed, and Justified in the Atonement of Christ on the Cross; for it was expiatory and vicarious for His People.

C. The Experiential Justification (In Time; by Experience)

The Chosen are born dead in sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1-3). Therefore, they must be raised from spiritual death. This spiritual raising comes to the chosen sinner: (1) based upon the Atonement of Christ; and (2) based on God’s Eternal Purpose in Christ. Upon this foundation, in time (a time only known by God the Spirit (John 3:8)), the chosen sinner is called from the dead, or is quickened (2 Timothy 1:7; John 6:63); and is given spiritual eyes to see, and spiritual ears to hear, the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:14-16)

“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:5-6)

This is called “the washing of regeneration” (Titus 3:5). It is when a chosen sinner is quickened by the Holy Spirit; given repentance; drawn to and taught the Gospel of Christ; and brought to conversion (John 3:3-8). (See John 1:12; 6:44-45, 63; Ephesians 2:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:7-9; Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:5-6; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13.)

In Romans 10:9-10, the Apostle Paul brings us to see the confession of one quickened, drawn and taught, and given repentance that Jesus Christ is his Savior.

In conclusion, to answer the question: ‘Why is the LORD is my Shepherd?’ – it is because of God’s Sovereign Purpose in Christ for the Salvation of the Chosen from the curse of sin (from sin’s penalty, punishment, practice, and power) in the Work of Christ accomplished on the Cross of Calvary.

Justification is a forensic term (a legal term). Jesus went before the Judge, in our place:

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

There He paid the price for our sin debt – this is Judicial Justification. Here, in time, God declared “It is finished.” Hallelujah!

Understanding the answer to the question: ‘Why is the Lord my Shepherd?’ – is the first step in surrendering to God’s Sovereignty.

David reveals in Psalms 23:1-6, that he fully knew that God was Sovereign; and for that reason he said, “The LORD is my shepherd.” Not my parents; not my power, my money, my fame, etc. No, “The LORD is my shepherd.”

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