Theologians often distinguish between the plan of redemption, the accomplishment of redemption and the application of redemption. While all three persons of the Trinity cooperate together in each aspect of our salvation, it is especially the role of the Father to plan our salvation, the role of the Son to accomplish the plan, and the role of the Holy Spirit to apply the benefits of His work to our lives.
1. God loved us from before the creation of the world and planned for our salvation. (Ephesians 1:4 says, "For He chose us in him before the creation of the world..." and Ephesians 1:11 says, "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.")
2. Jesus obtained our salvation through His righteous life, His suffering, His death on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension. (Romans 3:25 says, "God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.")
3. The Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to us personally. (Ezekiel 36:26-27 says, " I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." John 6:63 says, "It is the Spirit that gives life.")
