Our Complete Salvation: Past, Present, and Future

By Pastor Chris Hall

What if I told you I know your God-given purpose? Would you believe me? Well, buckle up because from God's Word, you will see and hear the reason you exist!

In a theological context, salvation is often described using three tenses: past (being saved from the penalty of sin), present (being saved from the power of sin), and future (being saved from the presence of sin). Understanding these dimensions helps us appreciate the full scope of what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives.

Walking and Talking But Spiritually Dead

Our story begins...in the beginning: Genesis. God lovingly made us as His image bearers. Crafted us from the dust into something that reflects His love and holiness throughout the world. It was good. Very good. But we took a bite from the forbidden fruit, and in the following chapters we see where God makes life, we bring death. Because of our rebellion–our act of treason against a holy God–every person born will one day die. That was not God’s original design. It’s our doing.

So spiritually, As Ephesians 2 tells us, we were "dead in trespasses and sins." Not asleep. Not half-dead. Dead dead. Walking and talking but spiritually deceased. We followed three masters: the world ("You be you"), Satan (a real being who hates God), and ourselves (we put ourselves on God's throne).

We are not bad people because we sin; we sin because we are bad people. Basically, we do what we are.

BUT GOD: Freedom from Sin's Penalty (Justification)

"By grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:8)

What can a dead thing do to change its status? Nothing. Yikes! Our situation is bleak!

That's why the two most important words in the Bible are "BUT GOD." (Ephesians 2:4).

Though we were dead and totally depraved, God stepped in. The message doesn't end with our depravity. It continues... BUT GOD.

2,000 years ago on a Roman cross, Jesus traded our sins for His perfect righteousness. As He looked out over the crowds who mocked Him and spit on Him, Jesus saw His creation at our worst. At any moment He could've called down an army of angels, but instead He said "Father forgive them..."

It wasn't nails that held Him on that cross. It was love. Those who receive this gift of grace are promised the forgiveness of sin. Our debt paid. From owing a debt back to zero.

The keyword here is "WITH." Made alive WITH Christ, raised up WITH Christ, seated WITH Christ. Think: "synced up with" or "wrapped up in" Christ. The Father doesn't see a treasonous enemy anymore—He sees His beloved Son.

Practical Application: Have you received this gift of justification? If you have, take a moment today to thank God for removing the penalty of your sin. This cosmic miracle can't be earned—it can only be received as a gift.

Freedom from Sin's Power: Sanctification Today

Often we believer wrongly think we graduate from the Gospel. "Well, I've been forgiven from the penalty of sin so I'm good. Now it's up to me to be a good person."

To that I'd say, not quite. Because, according to 1 Corinthians 1:8, 15:2 "We are being saved".

That means we never "graduate" or move on from the Gospel.

The miracle that saved you from the penalty of sin is the same miracle that saves you from the power of sin today.

Yes, you need the "BUT GOD" miracle just as much today as when you first believed!

Salvation means we're forgiven, but it means a lot more. Until sin is gone completely, we have to deal with its reality. How do we conquer it? Not through hard work, not through determination. No. Because even our most well intentioned deeds will ultimately fail us. 

So how we conquer the power sin has over us today is the same way we were saved in the first place: by faith. Faith in the truth of Christ’s finished work. It’s a gift of grace. God does the saving!

Sometimes I walk past one of my neighbor’s yard and their dog starts growling and barking from the other side of the fence. I've jumped a few times, feeling like I'm about to get attacked. But then I remember the dog is behind a locked gate and can't touch me.

Sin is like that. It will still make noise and try to get us to give into it, but we don't have to. We don't have to listen to it anymore because it no longer has power over us.

As part of a faithful community of believers, we're shaped more and more into the image of Christ. He rubs off on us. In community. In prayer. In the Word. In service to the poor. In Sunday gatherings. Remember, salvation was addressed to "y'all"—not to individuals alone, but to the church body. We’re saved into a family.

Practical Application: When tempted today, remember that in Christ, you have the power to say "no" to sin. Don't get discouraged if growth seems slow—even Paul, with all his training, took 12 years before his first missionary journey and 26 years before writing the letter to the Ephesian church!

Freedom from Sin's Presence: Future Glorification

"We shall be saved" (Romans 5:9-10, 10:9)

While we've been freed from sin's penalty and are being freed from sin's power, we still live in a fallen world where sin is present all around us and even within us.

But one day, Jesus will return and save us from the very presence of sin. He will complete what He began, transforming not just our spiritual status but our physical bodies and the entire creation. As 1 John 3:2 tells us, "When He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is."

Revelation 21:4 promises a new heaven and earth where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore."

Until that day, we live in the "already but not yet" reality—already justified and being sanctified, but not yet glorified. This future hope gives us endurance for today's struggles.

The finished version of ourselves lives on the other side of struggle. And with this future tense of the Gospel we can look forward with hope! A hope to endure. 

Practical Application: Let the promise of Christ's return give you hope when you struggle with the brokenness of this world. Your current battles are temporary, but your victory in Christ is eternal.

Your Purpose: Created FOR Good Works

So we know we were saved from the penalty of sin, we’re being saved from the power of sin and we’ll one day be saved from the presence of sin. 

But why? Why save us at all? 

That question leads us back to the beginning. To our original creation identity: AS HIS IMAGE BEARERS, REFLECTING HIS LOVE AND HOLINESS IN THIS WORLD.

This is your purpose. It's the reason you exist. To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

By stepping into the good works He has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10). To be with Him. To obey Him. To invite others into relationship with Him. 

The best “thank-you” note we can give to God for this gift of salvation is a life serving others in His name: Reflecting His goodness, gloriousness, greatness, and graciousness in this world.
Reflecting His love in this world. Renewing. Restoring. Reconciling. Running to our neighbors in need and pointing them to the One True God.

The richness of His glorious grace is on display when we receive this gift—not just when we are first saved, but every day. It's the power to save you and the power to sustain you.

Here's the thing about gifts: All you can do is receive it or reject it. What's your choice today?

Your Next Steps

We'd love to help you explore these truths more deeply. Join us this Sunday for worship at 10 AM, or consider joining one of our small groups where we study God's Word together.

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"Now to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 24-25)