THE THREE TENSES OF SALVATION
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8
Ephesians 2 describes how we have been saved by grace through the death of Christ on the cross and raised up to sit in heavenly places in Him. Philippians 2:12 urges us to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Hebrews 9:27-28 assures us that salvation awaits us when Christ comes a second time. Are these three scriptures contradictory? Absolutely not. They reflect the three stages: the past, present and future of salvation and what each one means to us. The past of salvation is of the spirit, the present is of the mind and the future is of the body.
• The Past Tense. This aspect of our salvation has already been accomplished. At the point of conversion or confession, we are saved. There is an instant transformation of the sinner during the sinner's prayer. It takes place in the SPIRIT. It is a gift of grace. Hebrews 9:12 shows us that Christ, with His own blood, entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. The sacrifice is sufficient and effective for our salvation.
• Present Tense. This is the continuous transformation of the believer. It takes place in the MIND. Working out our salvation means daily overcoming the fleshly desires as we surrender to the Holy Spirit.
• The Future Tense. This refers to our inheritance in Christ. There are two Latin words that describe this phenomenon. They are 'De Jure' and 'De Facto'. The first means 'in law' while the second means 'in fact.' Our salvation is 'De Jure.' It is lawful or rightful; however, the life God has given us must be fully manifested in the BODY. It must become 'De Facto.' It must come into effect in the life I am actually living daily. Our salvation will be complete at the second coming of Christ.
Prayer: May every aspect of my salvation be fully manifested in my life.
