Comments are closed.
What is salvation?
October 24th, 2009
You hear a lot about salvation: are you saved?, John 3:16, sinner’s prayer, walk the aisle, whatever. Something to the effect that you say a prayer or something and you are going to heaven. They might hand you a bible or a pamphlet and tell you to get baptized or join a church or something, but what is really involved in this salvation thing?
The three tenses of salvation
I am saved, I am being saved, I will be saved! The past, present and future tenses of salvation. Interestingly, you have three parts that need to be saved: your spirit, your soul and your body.
Salvation is a 3 stage process. When you decide you want Jesus to be your lord and trust that He paid for your sins when He died on the cross, that is what most people call salvation, as if it is a destination in itself. John 3:16, Eph 2:8-9
Past tense of salvation: Justification
Actually it is a beginning. This is what the bible calls justification. (Romans 10:9-11) This fancy word word means that to God it is just-as-if you had never sinned. Justification is a complex process but all of the heavy lifting gets done in the spiritual realm. This is a transaction that takes place at one point in your life. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit and your spirit is made alive. (Eph 1:13) At this point you are free of the penalty of sin. (Rom 8:1-2)
Look at the thief that died next to Jesus. He did not have time to get baptized or go tell people about Jesus or give to charity or help little old ladies across the street. He was stuck up there on that cross and died a few hours later. Because of the free gift of justification, his spirit was alive so he went to heaven. There is no way he could have not gone to heaven, once he had been justified.
Present tense of salvation: Sanctification
Most people do not die right after they get saved, so there is more to talk about. During your life on earth, the Holy Spirit is living in your heart and wants to get out and do good works in the world around you. The problem is, are you going to let Him do that? (James 1:21, 1 Cor 15:10)
Just like justification was a choice you made in the past, sanctification is a choice you make NOW, every moment of your life until it is time to go to heaven. This is what the bible means when it says you must “die daily to self” (Luke 9:23, 1 Cor 15:31) and “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. (Phil 2:12) Do you want to be more like Jesus every day, or do you just want to keep living for yourself?
Whether you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in becoming more like Jesus or not, you are going to heaven. (John 10:27-30) The big question is, are you going to like it there? If some smiling dude comes up to you and you greet him with a “how ya doing?” and he comes back with “Ahhh,my cup runneth over! Jesus has blessed me and keeps on blessing me!!” At this point, if you are ignoring the spirit in your daily life, you are probably looking for a quick exit. The problem is when you get to heaven this guy with the huge smile is going to be the norm.
The whole point of going to heaven is to be with Jesus. Maybe you should choose to let the Holy Spirit “transform you by the renewing of your mind”, otherwise, you probably will not like heaven too much. (Rom 12:2, James 1:21-22) As you are sanctified by making faith choices you are removed from the power of sin.
Future tense of salvation: Glorification
Glorification is like justification; all the heavy lifting gets done in the spiritual realm. With glorification your body gets saved. This old body you are used to gets changed into a glorified body, no more aches and pains. When Jesus was raised from the dead, he was in a glorified body. His disciples were able to touch him, he made them breakfast and ate with them, etc. He was also able to get into a room where all the doors and windows are locked. I am keen on trying that! At the point you are glorified you have been removed from the presence of sin (Rom 7:25, Rom 8:3, 1 thess 5:23)
Jesus glorified body still had the scars of his abuse and crucifixion. I think that was a personal choice, to show off what he went through because he loved us that much. I believe we will have healthy whole bodies. The neat thing is, we will see Jesus like he is because we will be like him. (1 John 3:2)
Conclusion
That is about it for now. Next time I will show you how sanctification relates to the Millennial Kingdom where the overcomers will rule and reign with Jesus for 1000 years. Besides being made fit to enjoy heaven, sanctification also leads to rewards. (1 Cor 9:25, James 1:12, 2 Tim 4:7-8, rev 3:11-12) Rewards are what you save up in heaven by good works done in the spirit. Keep in mind 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10. Works done in the flesh, in other words, not what the Spirit directs you to do, will be burned up.
More From bradfoot
Print This Post
Text filed under BibleStudies, CloserToGod | Tags: glorification, inherit, justification, overcomer, reign, salvation, sanctification | Comment (1)
One Response to “What is salvation?”
http://ref.ly/Ac4.11-12;ESV