In simple terms, salvation is a state of protection from harm. In the case of the soul, this protection comes in the form of deliverance from sin and a dire situation. The academic study of salvation is known as soteriology. The goal of this study is to help Christians understand salvation. In this article, we will discuss the purpose of salvation, Jesus’ work on the cross, and the process of Justification and Glorification.
God’s plan of salvation
The plan of salvation of God reveals the completeness of His work. The Bible is full of examples of God’s plan for salvation. At the beginning of Genesis, God revealed His plan of salvation by grace. As the Spirit moved and God spoke, light entered the world. The Spirit breathed life into a person who had died. But the Spirit also caused a division between light and darkness.
Before the fall, God created the earth and the heavens. Satan strove to rise to a higher regal position than God. This ruined creation was connected to man’s destiny. The restoration of this material creation will occur in the future.
Jesus’ work on the cross
The work of Jesus on the cross is the basis for our salvation. He finished what he was given to do – make reconciliation for our sins and bring in everlasting righteousness. His death was not a passive surrender to the inevitable – he labored and died. As our Savior, Jesus died in our place, taking our place.
The work of Jesus on the cross is a powerful metaphor. Jesus bore the penalty of sin through his death, and by doing so, he appeased the Father’s wrath. This death secured our salvation by paying the price for our sins.
Justification
The doctrine of justification is a foundational doctrine of Christianity. Justification occurs before God for a person to be saved. This can happen through God’s grace alone, through works of faith, or a combination of faith and works. However, it is essential to note that these are not the same.
The Bible clarifies that justification is a process, not a one-time event. God’s purpose is to bring about sanctification and atonement for humankind through Christ’s work. This process ends people’s unholiness through sin, but God is not done. He continues the work of justification for all believers throughout their lives.
Justification is essential because it provides the power to grow in holiness. The Christian is a new creation in Christ, and his improvement in holiness occurs after being made a new creature. However, this process cannot be completed in this life. This is because Christians are both saints and sinners at the same time.
Glorification
The glorification of a believer includes the resurrection and the redemption of the body. The Bible teaches that after death, a person’s soul goes to God and enjoys all the blessings of heaven, including beholding God’s face. However, this is not the end of salvation. The body is an essential part of the salvation process, and when it is restored, a Believer will be wholly pure and thus have access to God’s presence.
Glorification is a process of becoming more like God. God enables us to have an inward beauty, which is holiness. This process begins in this life but culminates in the presence of Christ.
Phase II of salvation
The Bible says the second phase of salvation occurs in the believer’s life. This phase is characterized by deliverance from sin and sensual nature and is accomplished through the ministry of the indwelling Spirit. Again, this is based on the work of Christ and the believer’s union and co-identification with Him.
Paul explains these phases in his writings, including the Bible. God’s plan is eternal and includes saving His elect from sin. This plan is not a surprise. It is a part of God’s purpose from the beginning, which is why He has chosen different words to describe the different components of salvation.
This vital phase occurs before the elect is converted. In addition to receiving new spiritual life, they must believe in the gospel and repent of their sins to be saved. In varying degrees, the elect will experience this phase during their lives, but it depends on the previous three phases.