(2 Timothy 1:9) This grace of God was given to us in Jesus Christ before the beginning of time (before creation).

Most Christians are consumed with the end times, the second coming of Christ, and eternity after the world ends. However, as 2 Timothy 1:9 says, the gospel of grace—the good news of Jesus Christ—originated before the beginning of time, before the creation of the world.

In fact, everything God does in this world and in the world to come is rooted in what He determined to accomplish in Jesus Christ before creation. Once you understand this, it will transform the way you read the Bible and live the Christian life.

Unfortunately, a particular theological position has cast dark clouds over what God did before the foundation of the world. You have probably heard this teaching before: before creation, God chose, determined, or predestined some people to be saved and go to heaven (the elect), while the rest would not be saved and would go to hell. 

According to this view, Jesus died only for the elect and not for everyone else.

I strongly oppose this teaching for both biblical and pastoral reasons. It presents a mixed gospel: good news for some (heaven) and bad news for the rest (hell). 

Biblically, however, the gospel is pure good news—nothing more and nothing less. There is not a "Yes" and a "No" in the gospel; there is only God's "Yes" in Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ is the gospel.

Rather than focusing on what I am against, let me tell you what I am for and what I believe 2 Timothy 1:9 truly means.

Before the creation of the world, God chose to love all humanity through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This is what it means when Scripture says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son" (John 3:16).

God did not choose some people for heaven and others for hell. 

Instead, before the foundation of the world, He chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior.

Jesus was the Elect One!

We are only Elect when we are in Christ!

As 1 Peter 1:20 says, "He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake."

That is why Revelation 13:8 speaks of "the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world."

The cross was not an afterthought or a Plan B. God's predetermined purpose, established before He created the world, is revealed in 1 Timothy 2:3–4: "This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

The word "grace," and the phrase "the grace of God," fill the pages of the New Testament. 

We are saved by grace, and we live by grace.

The next time you read the word "grace" in the Bible, remember that God's grace, overflowing with love, was given to us in Jesus Christ before the beginning of time. 

This is the good news of God that can never be changed.

Rejoice!

God has been for you since before the creation of the world.

Stand firm, for nothing can separate you from God's love in Christ Jesus.