An Outline to Study and Share
Salvation: past, present and future
2. Present tense salvation: believers in Jesus are being saved!
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation [in your spiritual growth] with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12, 13
A. The believer is being saved from sin’s power in order bear the fruit of the Spirit.
“But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:22, 23).
B. The believer’s soul (mind, will, emotions) is being saved from the old patterns as we abide in Christ.
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).
“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son [past], much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His Life [present]” (Romans 5:10).
C. Salvation from the grip of dominating sin is provided through the Cross; we died with Christ (positionally and spiritually).
“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” Romans 6:6. (This occurred at salvation but the believer needs to reckon this as personally true in the present. –Rom. 6:11)
D. Deliverance from willful sin is by the resurrection power of the indwelling Christ.
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11 – The context is sanctification.)
“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin (sin’s authority), but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:11
E. This present tense aspect of salvation is also by God’s grace.
“Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20, 21).
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
F. Deliverance in spiritual warfare is through faith.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:16, 17).
To pastor Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save (from a defeated testimony) both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
H. Love is the central virtue for daily living.
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8).
.As we study the aspects of God’s salvation we stand in awe of His love and power. This poem describes these dimensions of deliverance in Christ.
HIS LIFE BECOME OUR LIFE
by Charles Solomon
Jesus came to Earth
So many years ago–
Leaving His heavenly abode,
He entered this vale of woe.
The sin that came between us
Destined us for Hell;
Only He could bridge the gulf
And that He knew right well.
He came to Earth as a baby
To identify with our sin;
As our sin was taken on Him [1]
His righteousness came within. [2]
When He went to Calvary,
It was our death He died;
Only as He paid our debt
Are we freed from sin and pride.
Our partaking of His nature [3]
Through the miracle of rebirth,
Allowed us to identify with Him
And give us untold worth.
Losing our sin-stained lives
With Him at Calvary’s Cross, [4]
Allows us to live in Him–
What a loss, glorious loss!
And, then, to be risen with Him [5]
And in the heavenlies seated, [6]
His sacrifice once for all [7]
Never to be repeated.
Bringing forth much fruit
As in Him we remain– [8]
Resurrection life our heritage–
What a gain, glorious gain!
Fellow believer, are you experiencing freedom from the dominion of sin? This victory is ours through the indwelling life of Christ, so let’s appropriate this deliverance by grace though faith!
Part 2 of 3. Italics in Biblical quotes added for emphasis. Bracketed words are added.
Poem from The Wisdom of (Charles R.) Solomon: New Covenant Poetry – a Counselor’s Perspective, Solomon Publications, 2010. Vol 1, p.143
Poetry footnotes:
[1] 1 Peter 2:24
[2] 2 Corinthians 5:21
[3] 2 Peter 1:4
[4] Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20
[5] Colossians 3:1
[6] Ephesians 2:6
[7] Romans 6:10; Hebrews 9:26
[8] John 15:5
Copyright 2011 by John B. Woodward. Permission is granted to reprint this article in its entirety for non-commercial use with credit given. Biblical quotations are from the New King James Version, Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson.