Salvation
A New Testament statement of salvation could, thus, be presented as:
In Christ we were elected before the foundation of the world
Ephesians 1:4
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
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In hope we were saved
Romans 4:24
but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
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Yet the cross is the power of God for those who are being saved
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
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Believers are admonished to work out their salvation with fear and trembling
Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
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And there is yet a salvation that lies waiting to be revealed in the last time
1 Peter 1:5
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
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a redemption for which we groan inwardly
Romans 8:23
Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
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For Paul, the past dimension of salvation is generally conceived as justification, redemption, and reconciliation, while its present dimension is depicted in terms of the Spirit’s sanctifying work. Its future dimension is said to be glorification, the culmination of the saving process wherein believers will experience Christ’s presence in new and resurrected bodies no longer burdened by the vestiges of sin.
