30 & 31 Aug 2025 (Pastoral Page) A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF SALVATION

by Dr Peter Lim

As the 2025 Alpha course is still in session, a discussion on salvation matters seems quite appropriate. Most of us already have a good grasp of the essential Biblical teaching on salvation. However, there is a perspective of salvation doctrine which may not be widely known but nevertheless warrants a clearer understanding i.e. the temporal aspect of salvation. “Man’s experience of salvation has a threefold temporal aspect. It can be described in terms of past, present and future; possessively, progressively, and prospectively; he is saved, is being saved, and will be saved (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Matthew 10:22; Romans 5:9-10, 8:24)” (The New Bible Dictionary, IVF 1962, pg. 1129)). John Stott makes a similar assertion “’Salvation’ is a comprehensive term (e.g. Romans 1:16) embracing our past (justification), present (sanctification), and future (glorification)” (The Message of Romans by John Stott, IVP 1994 pg. 351).

Salvation Past: Justification

The Westminster Shorter Catechism in modern English defines justification as “the act of God’s free grace by which He pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous in His sight. He does so only because He counts the righteousness of Christ as ours. Justification is received by faith alone.” (Romans 1:17; 3:24-26; 4:5-8; 5:18-21). Justification is about our legal standing - sinful man stands condemned in God’s sight. But we are saved by God’s grace from condemnation and judgment, through faith in the redeeming and sacrificial work of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Therefore, we are pronounced or declared righteous. We also want to note that God cannot unilaterally declare us as free from sin as this would be counter to His attribute of justice and God cannot contradict Himself. A price or ransom needs to be paid first and the penalty must be administered. These demands are met by the shedding of blood by Jesus Christ on the cross – “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).

Salvation Present: Sanctification

Quoting the Westminster Shorter Catechism again, sanctification is defined as “the work of God’s free grace by which our whole person is made new in the image of God and we are made more and more able to become dead to sin and alive to righteousness.” Thus, we can see that sanctification is an on-going process after the issue of justification has been resolved. Sanctification is progressive - hence the present continuous tense – I am being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18). Our spiritual journey post conversion is fraught with impediments and booby-traps deviously set up by the devil (2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26). It is no wonder that the Apostle Paul reminds the Philippian church and us equally to – “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Notice that he does not say “work for” but “work out” your salvation because salvation is the gift from God to be appropriated by us only through faith and is not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). “Work out” has the sense of bringing to completion.” (The New Bible Commentary, IVF 1964 pg. 1254). This process has two facets - a “putting off” and a “putting on” (e.g. Romans 13:13-14; Colossians 3:5,10).

Salvation Future: Glorification

Sinful but redeemed man will only enjoy the fullness of salvation in the future as attested by the apostolic epistles - “the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5); “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11); “ he (Christ) will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28). The process of justification followed by sanctification will culminate in a conformity to Christ (Romans 8:29) and salvation will be consummated in glory- “. . .the Lord Jesus Christ . . .will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).

“The Pilgrim’s Progress” written by John Bunyan is a vivid allegory of the pilgrim’s journey to paradise (heaven). His experience parallels the three-fold temporal aspects of salvation and therefore well worth a read.

In closing, the comprehensive nature of salvation is succinctly encapsulated in the following verses - “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly possessions and to live self-controlled and upright lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14).