Who [God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
2 Timothy 1:9-10 (ESV)
This passage has a lot to say, but I want to focus on the grace that God gave us in Christ before the ages began. A grace now revealed through the work of Christ.
Paul tells us that God’s grace was given to us in Christ Jesus. It is when I am in Christ that I experience God’s grace. To be in Christ is to experience the life of Christ, to be a part of his body.
He also says this grace was given to us in Christ before the ages began. Before creation, God’s grace was given to me in Christ. But how can that be? I did not even exist then.
In Christ
I believe the key to answering this is the expression “in Christ.” In Colossians 3:3, Paul says, I died, and my life is now hidden in Christ. In Romans 6:10, Paul explained that those of us who were baptized into Christ participated in his death, burial, and resurrection. When I am in Christ, his experience is, in a way, my experience. And where he is, I am as well.
So, since Christ was chosen from the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:20), we can say that we also were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). Even though we are not actually included in Christ until we believe (Eph 1:13).
Paul then goes on to say that this grace of God given to us before creation was revealed through the work of Christ. And in that work, Christ did two things for us. He destroyed death, our great enemy (1 Cor. 15:26, Heb. 2:14-15). And he brought life and immortality to those who are in Christ.
It is by God’s grace, given to us from eternity past, that we can experience life with him throughout eternity future.
