Salvation: Past, Present and Future, Part 1

The Bible teaches that we have been saved (Ephesians 2:8, 9), that we are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18) and that we will be saved (Romans 5:9). At first glance this appears confusing and contradictory but it is understandable.

We are fully and permanently saved when we believe the true Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We must believe in our hearts and proclaim the truth that Yeshua (Jesus) died for our sins, was buried and then resurrected (Romans 10:9-13). Our behavior in response to the Gospel gives evidence of the genuineness of our belief.

Both the Apostles Paul (1 Corinthians 15:2) and John (1 John 2:19) addressed the issue of people that initially “believed” but later walked away. Did they “lose” their salvation? No. Their actions demonstrated they did not truly believe the Gospel. They may have had an initial emotional response to hearing the gospel but it never took root in their hearts. Yeshua also addressed this issue in the parable of the four soils (Matthew 13:1-23).

Paul emphatically teaches that salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:4-9). In the original Greek, the grammar indicates that our salvation is complete and that the results of our salvation extend into the present and future. It is by grace – we did nothing to deserve God’s goodness and we can add nothing to our salvation.

If our salvation is complete, how can it say that we are being saved and will be saved? Past tense: we are saved from the penalty of sin. We are justified before God because He credits to us the righteousness of Yeshua. Yeshua paid the penalty for our sins. Present tense: we are being saved from the power of sin. Sanctification is the ongoing process of God working in us to be obedient to Him and become more like Yeshua (Philippians 2:13). Our lives are being saved form ones that are enslaved to sin (Romans 6:20-23) and futile (1 Peter 1:18) to ones that are abundant (John 10:10).

Future tense: At the resurrection we will be saved from the presence of sin. We will be in heaven in our new bodies (2 Corinthians 5:8). Satan and his angels will be in hell (Revelation 10:14-15) and we will be living in our resurrected/redeemed bodies that free from the deteriorating effects of sin (1 Corinthians 15:42-49).

Parenting is an example of a process with past, present and future aspects. When your child is conceived and then born, you ARE a parent. It is permanent and complete. But it is also the beginning of a present and ongoing process. You learn about how to parent through all the stages of a child’s life — infancy, childhood, adolescence and beyond. Finally, in the future you will be transformed into being a grandparent.

We were completely saved. We were “born again” in the spirit. We are being saved. Our lives are being saved through sanctification. We will be saved. We will be resurrected and given new eternal bodies free of pain and malfunction.

Past:

Spirit

Ephesians 2:4-9