He Is the Author of Salvation to Who Obey Him Scripture Art

The Three Tenses of Salvation

By Harold S. Martin

A Bible Helps Booklet No. 339

According to the message of the Bible, every human existence comes into the world with an inborn nature that is inclined to go astray. It is not that a kid is born with a thirst for robbing a bank, just nosotros are all predisposed toward doing wrong. Most of us underestimate the sinfulness of the human heart-the extent of pride, the stubbornness of the mind, the lack of genuine love toward others, and the distrust of God when we face hard places in life. All of us need salvation-deliverance from the guilt and ability of sin.

The greatest miracle in the Bible is non the parting of the Reddish Sea, or the raising of Lazarus from the dead-just the conversion of an individual by the power of God then that the person becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus.

Salvation is deliverance from the grip of sin. In the Erstwhile Testament, the word salvation sometimes referred to deliverance from danger (Jeremiah 15:twenty). Sometimes it was used to depict deliverance of the weak from an oppressor (Psalm 35:9-x). At other times it referred to national deliverance from a armed services threat (Exodus 14:13). Merely the discussion "conservancy" finds its deepest pregnant in the spiritual realm. That every homo has a universal need for salvation is one of the well-nigh clear teachings of the Bible.

Within the Scriptures in that location are other terms associated with the concept of conservancy. The "new nascency" speaks of beingness made alive in Christ (John iii:iii). "Redemption" speaks more of the means of conservancy (the payment of a price to bring 1 back to God). "Reconciliation" speaks of a change in relationship. "Propitiation" points to the turning away of God'southward wrath. All of these terms are sometimes used for the broader concept of conservancy.

Salvation is the entire process past which God rescues sinful human beings from their chains to sin, and gives them an overhaul from the inside out. Salvation is achieved in three tenses-past, present, and future. Those individuals who accept Jesus Christ by organized religion, and repent of their sins, and take a vow of obedience to Christ in Christian baptism--can say with other believers:

"Nosotros have been saved from the penalisation of sin (called justification); we are being saved from the power of sin (chosen sanctification); we shall be saved from the presence of sin (called glorification)."

Justification is our acceptance with God on the basis of Christ'due south perfect righteousness. Sanctification is the working out of right living in our daily beliefs. Glorification is the time to come perfection to exist experienced in the earth to come. Justification refers to "the removal of guilt." Sanctification means "a setting autonomously unto holiness." Glorification speaks of "the final harvest."

1. Justification (The Removal of Guilt)

To "justify" means "to declare righteous" or "to put into a right relationship." Justification is the act of God whereby those who put their faith in Christ are declared righteous in God'southward eyes, and are ready free from guilt and penalisation for sin. Romans 5:one says, "Therefore, being justified by faith, we take peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

There are three elements of justification:

1. The forgiveness of sins. Acts 13:38-39a says, "... Through (Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by him all that believe are justified from all things."
2. The removal of guilt. Romans 8:1a says, "There is therefore at present no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (that is, to those who are justified).
3. The imputation of righteousness. In Romans four:6, David describes the blessedness of those unto whom God "imputeth righteousness without (apart from) works." Romans four:5 makes it clear that he is talking about a person who is justified by organized religion.

Those who are justified are not just forgiven, simply are declared not guilty, and are acquitted. Their past sins are canceled, and they are counted "just as if they had not sinned."

There are several other factors related to justification:

1. The source of justification is God'due south costless grace. Romans iii:24 says, "Existence justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
2. The ground of justification is Christ'south claret. Romans five:9 says, "Much more ... being now justified past his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
3. The status for justification is faith in Christ. Galatians 2:16a says, "Knowing that a human is not justified by the works of the law, just by the faith of Jesus Christ."
4. The evidence of justification is good works. Ephesians two:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Justification is the outcome of the grace of God reaching downward. Justification is not the result of whatever works that we practise. All the same, some folks isolate this truth, and press it to the limit, and fail to reconcile it with other truths related to salvation. A. Westward. Tozer says, "To escape the mistake of conservancy by works, some have fallen into the fault of claiming salvation without obedience."

In that location is a difference between "good works" and "obedience." "Skilful works" are warm deeds of love that jump from a right mental attitude toward God. Good works speak of "service." "Obedience" is the act of earnestly carrying out the instructions of some other. Obedience speaks of "compliance." Justification is by "grace through faith"-but the Bible does non recognize "faith" as a valid organized religion, unless that organized religion leads to obedience. Hebrews 5:9 says, "And existence made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Ane who thinks he is saved, just does not care about obedience, had better take some other await at the New Testament.

Obedience is one of the Bible'due south leading themes. In John 14:21a Jesus says, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." Saving organized religion involves more than trust in the merits of Christ's atoning work on the cross. It involves a commitment to lodge ane'southward daily life in accord with the Scriptures. The Bible becomes our manual for daily living. The practices and attitudes of the world are to have little influence on our daily decisions.

2. Sanctification (Setting Autonomously Unto Holiness)

To "sanctify" means "to set apart" or "to declare holy for God's service." Sanctification is the process by which the believer is more and more separated from sin, and becomes more than and more than dedicated to God's standard of righteousness. Titus 2:14 says, "Who gave himself for united states of america that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people (literally, a people of his own), zealous of good works."

At that place are three aspects of sanctification:

1. Instantaneous sanctification-is the standing before God which is assigned to individuals at the fourth dimension when they accept Jesus Christ by faith. We read in ii Thessalonians 2:13b that "God hath ... chosen y'all to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit." And from one Corinthians 6:11 we learn that "Such were some of you, just ye are done, simply ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." The Christians at Corinth had lived very ungodly and pagan lives, merely now they were new creatures in Christ Jesus.
2. ii) Progressive sanctification-is the life process of growing in holiness; it is pressing on in the upwards mode, and more and more than being delivered from the ability of sin. Thus sanctification speaks of following in the path of righteousness, choosing the more than first-class way, and seeking the mind of Christ. Nosotros are told in 2 Peter iii:18a to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." That takes identify when nosotros are devoted to reading the holy Word of God, using the tools of Bible study, and exercising the spiritual disciplines of prayer, meditation, and participation in the ordinances of God's house. There is also an admonition in two Corinthians 7:1b which says, "Therefore ... let usa cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." The Apostle Paul spoke of pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly phone call of God (Philippians 3:xiii-14). The New Testament does non suggest any curt-cuts to sanctification. It simply encourages us to give ourselves to the old-fashioned and time-honored means of Bible reading, and meditation, and prayer, and worship, and self-discipline.
3. Ultimate sanctification-is the final state, which volition exist attained but when we are fully and completely set apart to God in heaven. The wish of the writer in I Thessalonians five:23 is expressed as follows: "And the very God of peace sanctify yous wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." And in 1 John 3:2b, we read, "Information technology doeth not all the same appear what we shall exist, but nosotros know that when he shall announced, we shall exist like him, for we shall see him as he is."

Instantaneous sanctification has to practise with our continuing.

Progressive sanctification has to do with our spiritual growth.

Ultimate sanctification has to exercise with our eternal state.

Usually when we speak about sanctification, we refer to the progressive work that continues throughout our earthly lives. Sanctification is partly God's work. We are sanctified past God the Begetter (Jude 1:1). We are sanctified by God the Son (Hebrews ii:ix-11). We are sanctified past God the Holy Spirit (1 Peter i:2). The Apostle Paul prayed, "And (may) the very God of peace sanctify you lot wholly" (one Thessalonians v:23a). Sanctification is partly the laic's piece of work. Romans eight:xiii flatly says, "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die, but if ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the trunk, ye shall alive." The Campaigner Paul acknowledges that information technology is "by the Spirit" that we are able to mortify the deeds of the body-simply he too says that nosotros must do it! There are numerous commands throughout the New Testament indicating that we have a responsibility in sanctification. For example, we are commanded to "be holy" (1 Peter 1:fifteen-sixteen). We are commanded to "be perfect" (Matthew 5:48). We are allowable to nowadays the faculties of our bodies "as servants of righteousness unto holiness" (Romans six:19b).

It is instructive to take a cyclopedia and note how oft words like "strive" and "piece of work" and "run" and "fight" are used in the Bible to depict the believer'due south spiritual duties. We must run the Christian race with all our might. We must flex our muscles and exercise our will power. It is non a matter of "letting become and letting God," or "trusting instead of trying." It is, instead, a matter of trusting "and" trying! Sanctification involves man resolve, along with Holy Spirit power.

One of the chief means of sanctification is through the written report and the intentional practise of God's Give-and-take. John 17:17 says, "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." Ephesians 5:26b says that sanctification and cleansing are associated with "the washing of water past the word." The Word of God sanctifies past revealing sin, by enkindling conscience, by showing the example of Christ, and past setting forth spiritual motives and ideals. God'due south purpose in saving people is not primarily to go us to believe in Christ so that we can escape Hell and go to Heaven. His purpose is to reproduce the life of Jesus in every person. God's want is that we should be more and more than conformed to the image of His Son (Romans viii:29), and that requires running and striving and abstaining and guarding.

Sanctification is essential to salvation. The Bible says, "Follow ... holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). The believer must seek to walk worthy of his heavenly calling (Ephesians four:ane). We are to seek to adorn the doctrine of God by good works (Titus 2:x). We must aim to "abound more than and more" in good deeds which "delight God" (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

iii. Glorification (The Terminal Harvest)

God non only justifies-delivers from the guilt of sin. And He not only sanctifies-delivers more than and more from the power of sin. He besides glorifies--delivers ultimately from the presence of sin. Glorification is the future perfection which will have place when the believer inherits his home in Heaven, and lives eternally in a new body.

Romans eight:16-eighteen says, "Children of God" are "articulation heirs with Christ-if so exist that we suffer with him, that nosotros may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall exist revealed in the states." Hebrews 1:14 says that we are heirs of conservancy. First Peter one:5a says that nosotros are "kept by the power of God through organized religion unto salvation." Romans 13:11b reminds us to awake out of sleep, for our "salvation is nearer than when we (first) believed." Christ came the outset fourth dimension to pay the price of our sins; He is coming the second fourth dimension, not to bargain with sin, simply to relieve those who are eagerly looking for Him (Hebrews 9:28).

To sympathize the word "glorification" we must think about the word "glory." We don't use the discussion "glory" very much in our everyday conversation, and and then it sounds a scrap strange to our ears. But the word "glory" has in information technology the idea of harvest. The farmer has many disappointments. He plants crops, only sometimes the summer is dry, the days are hot, the piece of work is hard, the bugs are plentiful-and all the same, harvest time is always a fourth dimension of rejoicing and gladness. Harvest time is glory time for the farmer. This gives us a small concept of the Bible meaning of "celebrity."

Jesus spoke about a harvest at the end of the historic period. In Matthew 13:30b, we read, "I volition say to the reapers, Assemble ye together first the tares, and demark them in bundles to bum them, but gather the wheat into my befouled." Glorification is the act of God past which He is going to transform the believer'south torso, and re-invest it with the soul, and ship the individual inside the gates of the Urban center of God. The glorified laic will be delivered from the presence of sin forever (1 John 3:2). At that time at that place will be joy and peace and gladness and singing. Sufferings and trials are sometimes hard and painful in this life, but the sum full of them all will be nil when compared with the celebrity which is still to be revealed (Romans 8:xviii).

Conservancy is God's great souvenir to human beings. The Greek word "soteria" speaks of deliverance, preservation from danger, wholeness, and soundness. The many facets of salvation cannot be completely comprehended past the man mind, just if we ponder the concepts of God'south salvation, we volition sense a deeper appreciation, a great dearest, and a happier praise for the God who has saved usa.

Salvation, by way of summary, is the work of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) whereby the sinner who becomes a committed laic in Jesus Christ, is redeemed from the curse of the law (justification), and is increasingly set free from the dominion of sin (sanctification), and volition finally exist perfected in the image of Jesus Christ (glorification). No wonder the writer of Hebrews asks such a probing question; he says, "How shall we escape if we fail and then great conservancy?" (Hebrews 2:3a).

Justification is a gift (information technology refers to a backward expect). Isaiah 53:5-6 says, "He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him ... the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of u.s. all."

Sanctification is a process (refers to an inward wait). Galatians ii:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet non I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the mankind, I alive past the religion of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Glorification is a heavenly- feel (it refers to a forrad wait). Revelation 3:21a says, "To him that overcometh, volition I grant to sit with me in my throne." Glorification includes the aspect of reigning with Christ. We do non know all the details, but the Apostle Paul tells almost the reign of Christ in general terms in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.

Salvation comes to individual persons "by grace through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is God's hand reaching down. Faith is homo's hand reaching upwardly. If y'all have never reached upwardly to accept God's offering of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, remember these three truths:

1. At that place must exist a recognition of the fact of sin (Romans 3:23). Salvation is but for sinners, and all of united states of america fall into that category.
2. There must be an acknowledgment that God has provided a way out (John 3:xvi). Jesus accomplished His mission when He died on the cross.
3. In that location must exist an actual embracing of the finished piece of work of Christ on the cantankerous (John i:12). The hope of conservancy is to those who "receive him." To those who receive Him, Jesus gives the correct to be called "sons of God."

If you are non a child of God by simple faith in the work Jesus did for u.s.a. on the cross, why non step out on His side today?

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