Part 4: Salvation Past, Present and Future

Salvation is understood in three interconnected phases: justification as the past tense, sanctification as the present tense, and glorification as the future tense.

Justification refers to the one-time act where God declares a sinner righteous based on faith in Christ, imputing Christ's righteousness to the believer and forgiving all sins. This is a judicial declaration, like being acquitted in a heavenly courtroom, and it happens at the moment of conversion, securing the believer's eternal standing before God. 

Sanctification, on the other hand, is the ongoing process in the present where the Holy Spirit works in the believer's life to conform them progressively to the image of Christ, involving growth in holiness, obedience, and spiritual maturity through cooperation with God's grace. 

Finally, Glorification represents the future completion of salvation, when believers will be fully freed from sin's presence, receiving resurrected bodies and experiencing perfect holiness in eternity upon Christ's return or at death. 

These phases highlight salvation as a comprehensive work of God that spans 
time: 
we have been saved from sin's penalty (justification Romans 5:1), 
we are being saved from sin's power (sanctification 2 Corinthians 3:18), 
and we will be saved from sin's presence (glorification Romans 8:18). 
They are linked in Scripture as a chain of divine actions, ensuring that what God begins, He completes. This framework encourages us to rest in our justified status while actively pursuing a holy life, all in anticipation of ultimate restoration. 

How does this combination of past, present, and future salvation point us to 
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

The Father, as the eternal spirit, initiates salvation with His sovereign plan, choosing 
believers before the foundation of the world.  

Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV - even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

The Holy Spirit, operating in the spiritual realm, brings this plan to life through 
regeneration and sanctification, transforming hearts and revealing divine truths to 
our minds. 

Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

John 16:8-11  And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

The Son, accomplishes salvation through His incarnate life, death, and resurrection, 

Hebrews 9:14 ESV - how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Why is our cooperation and walk with the Holy Spirit so important to focus on?
Unlike justification and glorification which is entirely the work of God, we are offered a chance to participate in the work of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification. Resisting temptation, denying ourselves, crucifying our flesh and renewing our mind
to be like Christ.

What do these connections say about the nature of our relationship with God?
God is seeking relationship with us through our Spirit, Mind, and Body. 
Our Spirit that was dead in sin is now alive in Christ through justification. 
Ezekiel 36:26  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Our mind conforming through the Holy Spirit to be like Christ. 
Romans 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Our body restored in glory to live with God forever.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

How does this view change the way we might see our lives as Christians?

We are called to walk in the Spirit of God, not the flesh, and align our whole being to the will of God. The Apostle Paul said this;

Ephesians 4:22-24 
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self... 
to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created 
to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

What can we look to for comfort when life's sufferings distract us from holiness?

We can focus on the promises of Jesus Christ, and the comparison between what is only temporary in this life and what is eternal in the next life. Jesus Christ, our restoration and the hope of Glory in Him.

Romans 8:18-19, 23 
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing 
with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager 
longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ... And not only the creation, 
but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we 
wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Revelation 1:8 [memory verse]
"'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who IS and who WAS and 
who IS TO COME, the Almighty.'"

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