Salvation: Past, Present, Future

DB Ryen

Being saved by Christ isn’t one-and-done. It happens at the start of our walk with him, continues every day of our lives, and is only completed when we see him face to face.

Length: Short, 609 words

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.

— 1 Peter 2:2

We all need rescuing. Because of sin in our lives, and death that accompanies it, we are helpless to deliver ourselves from the spiritual chains that bind us. However, God in his mercy has made a way for us to be free — salvation is available to all through Jesus. When we first receive Christ, we’re saved; every day we walk with him, we’re saved; and on the day he returns to earth, we’re saved completely. The Bible speaks of salvation in all three tenses: past, present, and future.

PAST SALVATION

Being saved in the past is the most intuitive way to speak of it. “When did you get saved?” or “Tell me your salvation story,” is followed up with responses like, “I got saved at a tent revival in 1978,” or “I gave my life to Christ at Bible camp when I was 14.” The Bible certainly supports salvation being an event that occurs in our past.

By grace you have been saved through faith. (Eph 2:8)

[The Lord] saved us and called us to a holy calling. (2 Tim 1:9)

It’s at this point that we’re saved from the penalty of sin. Some conversions are dramatic, others are quiet, but all mark the first step of a lifelong journey with Christ.

PRESENT SALVATION

However, the Bible is clear that salvation isn’t finished the day we meet Jesus. Rather, it’s ongoing as long as we walk this earth.

[God] says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:2)

We are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved. (2 Cor 2:15)

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil 2:12)

God’s mercies are “new every morning” (Lam 3:23) because we continually need his grace. That is, we are being saved daily from the power of sin in our lives. It’s ongoing.

FUTURE SALVATION

Ultimately, the fulfillment of our salvation is ahead of us. The Bible is clear about this.

Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. (Rom 13:11)

By God's power, [we] are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet 1:5)

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (Rom 5:9)

[Let us put on] for a helmet the hope of salvation. (1 Thes 5:8)

When Christ returns to earth, he’ll banish sin and death. They won’t be able to touch us anymore. That is when our salvation will finally be complete, delivered from the presence of all sin.

SUMMARY

We who have accepted Christ as Savior have been saved from the penalty of sin when we first believed. It was the first step of our lifelong journey with the Lord. Since then, we are being saved from the power of sin through faith-filled godly living. This is the present transformation from sinful, wayward people into godly men and women. It’s not easy. The battle is ongoing as long as we walk this earth, but victory will ultimately be ours through Christ. One day, on the other side of physical death, our faith will be proved true when sin and death are abolished and we’re saved from the presence of sin.

Salvation isn’t one-and-done. It’s a journey that begins with a simple step, continues our whole lives, and is only completed when we meet Christ face to face.

All Scripture quotations are from The English Standard Bible (ESV), Crossway, 2001.