Salvation Past Present And Future Series

There is a story told by Dr. Henry Ironside when he was pastor of Moody Church Chicago and traveling in California. He said a lady came up to him with a shawl covering her head and spangles came down over her forehead. She asked him if he would like his fortune told. For a fee she would tell him his past, present and future.

He said there was no need for that. He had a book in his pocket that already gives him his past, present and future. He was right that we know our past present and future from the Word of God. We find out about salvation past, present and future from the New Testament.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1-7)

Salvation past: We were made alive in Christ (vs 5)

Salvation Present: We are seated with him in the heavenly realms in Jesus Christ (vs 6)

Salvation Future: God will show us the incomparable riches of his grace (vs 7)

Salvation is the most widely used word to express God’s provision for us being rescued from our condition of sin. When we think of salvation we generally think of new birth in Christ, but there is more.

We are saved from the penalty of sin in regeneration, Salvation past.

We are saved from the power of sin in sanctification, salvation present

We are saved from the presence of sin in glorification, salvation future.

If someone asked me when I received salvation I would say, I made a profession of faith in Christ on December 12th, 1981, at Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana. But I could also say, my salvation is in process based on ongoing sanctification. Or referring to future salvation, my glorification in heaven I could answer, it is coming soon.

Salvation Past

We use the word saved all the time in everyday language. A heavyweight boxer is saved by the bell. A lifeguard saves a drowning man. A doctor performs a complicated surgery and saves the patient. The common usage is not unlike the usage in a theological sense.

In the Old Testament the word saved was used as delivered in a battle. In our context we are talking about salvation or being saved as redemption from sin.

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:21)

This salvation experience occurs immediately upon believing on Jesus Christ as savior. It is what Jesus described as the new birth.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:3-7)

It is what the bible calls being a child of God. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— (John 1:12)

Because spiritual salvation is so important it is the right question to ask, how do I experience salvation. How do I get saved? The answer is repentance and faith. Repentance is the inward turning from sin. Faith is placing complete trust in Jesus Christ. One implies the other. They are interrelated.

An example is when you make a U-turn from the north and toward the south. To repent is to turn from sin and move toward God. Sin and Christ are opposite poles of the moral universe. Repentance is to deny yourself.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)