Not only have Christians been delivered or ransomed from their former trespasses and sins, but they continue to be saved while anticipating the final reward of heaven. We are preserved for salvation on the final day as long as we are committed to working out our salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13). While we live in this life, we are being sanctified. Sanctification is the process of becoming holy, 1 Peter 1:15-16. It is time spent in living for God, being completely dedicated to Him, where we are transformed and renewed into God’s kind of person (Romans 12:1-2). During this time, we do not remain sinless, but upon realization of sinful activity, we have the responsibility to confess and seek forgiveness from God (1 John 1:8-10).
Finally, the scriptures also speak of a future salvation. This is the future
deliverance of believers at the end of time. Peter writes about a salvation
ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5). This salvation can be viewed
as a future deliverance from the wrath of God, which will be executed on the
ungodly at the end of the age (1 Thessalonians 1:10). It is also interesting
to study how the Holy Spirit uses the word redemption to describe what will
happen at the return of Christ. In Romans 8:23, Paul writes: “And not
only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even
we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons,
the redemption of our body.” What does Paul mean by “the redemption
of our body?” At the return of Jesus Christ, our bodies will be freed
from their physical limitations. We will put on a spiritual body and become
as He is (1 John 3:12). The Christian can trust in God to be raised to his salvation...or
life eternal! This hope is through Christ. Paul taught that it is Jesus who
was given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s
own possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:14).
By Matthew H. Allen
Return to the General
Articles page
Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /