Thursday 21st March 2019 Prayer Devotion
Scripture Reading:- 2 Timothy 1:1 -18
Topic:- Understanding Stages Of Your Salvation
Text:- 1 Corinthians 1:18
Salvation are in three stages, i.e. have been saved, are being saved, and shall be saved. This may seem to be a statement of the obvious. However what is obvious to some is not obvious to others. The Scriptures speak of being saved in three tenses and senses, i.e. in stages.
In one place the scriptures say that we “have been saved”, [Past]. In another place they say that we, “are being saved”, [Present]. In yet another place they say that we, “shall be saved”, [Future].
All these statements are true. An understanding of how we are saved in three senses, stages and tenses, helps to avoid wrong ideas about salvation, whilst helping us gain a true assurance of salvation.
A. We Have Been Saved, i.e. Our Past Salvation. See 2 Timothy 1:9:
1. There is a sense in which God has already saved each and every Christian. In this sense/stage, salvation is equated with the forgiveness of sins.
2. Ananias said to Paul, “Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins.” See Acts 22:16. So Paul, as soon as he obeyed, had his sins washed away. He was saved.
3. Paul said to the Corinthians, “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified…” See 1 Corinthians 6:11. They were saved.
4. Paul says of God our Savior, “He saved us…” See Titus 3:4-5. That’s Past tense.
5. A little earlier there in Titus, Paul says, “The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men.” See Titus 2:11.
B. We Are Being Saved, i.e. Our Present Salvation. See 1 Corinthians 1:18:
1. There is a sense in which God is still saving each and every Christian. In this sense/stage, salvation is equated with the Christian’s growth and perseverance.
2. Paul spoke to the Corinthians of “those who are being saved.” See 2 Corinthians 2:15. Here we do not have past tense. We have the word “Saved” used in a Present and ongoing sense/stage.
3. Paul tells the Philippians, “work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you…” See Philippians 2:12-13. Here we see Salvation presented as something being worked for by us in synergy with God.
4. It is not all over and done with. Note the implication of this question, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” See Hebrews 2:1-3
5. Another telling statement, “be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure…” See 2 Peter 1:10.
6. John says that “the blood of Christ cleanses us…” See 1John 1:7.
7. Past sins were forgiven when we became Christians, but further sins since then need to be forgiven too. Forgiveness and Salvation continue as we walk in His light.
C. We Shall Be Saved, i.e. Our Promised Salvation. See Romans 5:9-10:
1. There is a sense in which Salvation is a Future event. In this sense/stage, Salvation is equated with the Second Coming of Christ.
2. Jesus said, “these (wicked) shall go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” See Matthew 25:46.
3. This is a Future event/stage. As we saw at the introduction to this topic, Paul twice says, “We shall be saved…” See Romans 5:9-10. This is neither Past nor Present, but Future.
4. Paul makes an interesting statement, “Our Salvation is now nearer than when we first believed.” See Romans 13:11.
5. The Holy Spirit is given “as a guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession…” See Ephesians 1:14. Here redemption and the eternal inheritance is something in view, something yet Future.
6. Paul speaks of “the hope of Salvation.” See 1 Thessalonians 5:8. A hope of Salvation implies a Future Salvation.
7. If our Salvation were altogether finished, then we would have no need any more to hold it as our hope.
Prayer Points:-
1. Oh Lord God, help me to be sure and be realistic that I’m saved and born again, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. Oh Lord God, help me not to lose my salvation, hold me henceforth till the end to reign with You by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Thank You Jesus Christ for saving me and will never go back to the world but to save me till eternity, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have A Lovely Thursday!
