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)
It means to renounce self as sinful and selfish. Repentance means a change of mind. Repentance involves recognizing one’s condition as a sinner. You must realize your own guilt. It is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit. Hearing the gospel intensifies this consciousness of sin. In repentance sin is seen for what it is, sin against God.
There must be more to repentance than a fear of punishment. There is no longer a love of sin. Now the sinner sees his sin for what it really is and he hates his sin. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Repentance is necessary for salvation and correspondently faith is necessary. For salvation we must trust in Jesus as savior and surrender to him as Lord. We turn to Christ for our salvation. We say, Jesus I believe in you, I trust you.
Our faith must have the proper object and that is Jesus Christ. Our faith is not in doctrine or church or our parents’ beliefs. Saving faith is in Jesus Christ. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)
Salvation Present.
This is to say, I am in the process of being saved. Salvation present involves growth in grace and knowledge and service for Christ. Sanctification and dedication to God’s service by the Holy. The believer grows in the likeness of Christ.
The basic meaning of sanctification is dedication. That which is set apart for Holy use or service to God. Sanctification begins when one becomes a Christian and continues throughout the believer’s life on earth.
Even Jesus who had no sin sanctified himself, that is he dedicated himself to the work of God. The more sanctified we are, the more dedicated to God, the less sin will be in our life. After the experience of becoming a Christian we through the Holy Spirit grow progressively in grace, knowledge and service for Christ. The New Testament does not say there is a sinless perfection in this life.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:7-10)
As long as we are in the flesh the Christian will struggle between sin and righteousness.
We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. (Romans 7:14-23)
In Christ the Christian is free from the power of sin. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)
We are left with no excuse for carnal living. There must be an ongoing repentance. 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)
The sinful self must be crucified daily. The old nature has many lives. When we are saved, we do good works. We are not saved through our works, but we do good works after we are saved and grow in Christ.
There is not sinless perfection in this life. Our sinless perfection is realized in our salvation future.
Salvation Future.
This is the culmination of salvation, our glorification. The total benefits of blessings in heaven.
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. (Romans 13:11)
So, Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28)
Salvation future is our glorification in heaven. The suffering of present times are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
All Christians will experience future salvation, but each will be rewarded in accord with his development in the Christian life. As a believer in Christ, you have a wonderful future, but your life on earth will impact your experience in heaven.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:17)
Future salvation, glorification, is for all the redeemed, but the glory shall be in proportion to our faithfulness of service. Some are saved only like just escaping the fire. Our useless work will burn up.
If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:14-15)
The rewards in heaven will vary. It is a tragic waste when someone comes to Christ and ignores their great salvation. They have wasted their great opportunity when they do not grow in Christ and remain a spiritual babe.
It all begins with initial salvation. It is not something you attain it is by grace through faith. Jesus died the just for the unjust to bring us to God. They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
Below is the statement on Salvation from the Baptist Faith and Message.
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https://bfm.sbc.net/bfm2000/
Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.
Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.
B. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
C. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.
D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15;
Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8;
Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6;
Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32;
John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17;
Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32;
Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14;
1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10;
2 Corinthians 5:17-20;
Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15;
Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16;
Philippians 2:12-13;
Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.;
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24;
2 Timothy 1:12;
Titus 2:11-14;
Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14;
James 2:14-26;
1 Peter 1:2-23;
1 John 1:6-2:11;
Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
