3 Tenses of Salvation

There is a sense in which our salvation is accomplished in 3 tenses — past, present, and future. This means that we have been saved (past), being saved (present), and will be saved (future). In this article, we are going to see what these 3 tenses of salvation are in the scriptures and what they mean.

1. We have been saved from the penalty of sin. (Justification)

All mankind has sinned against a Holy and Just God, demanding the penalty for their sin. No man could pay this huge debt of eternal condemnation. God send His son —to die on the cross to save us. He paid fully for all sins of all those who believe in Him. The Bible says God made him who was without sin (Christ) to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. It is a completed transaction. There remains no more sacrifice for sin. We are justified (declared righteous) when we believe the Gospel. It is an act that is past. In Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2. We are being saved from the power of sin. (Sanctification).

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved (σωζεσθε), if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain” (ESV).

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; Philippians 2:12

We are daily being saved from the power of sin through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

3. We will be saved from the presence of sin (Glorification)

Romans 5:9 says “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved (σωθησομεθα) by him from the wrath of God” (see also 1 Thess 5:9-10).

Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1Peter 1:8-9

When Christ Jesus will come back for the second time, we shall be saved at glorification from all sin. Then, we shall be saved to never sin again.

Conclusion

The New Testament speaks about our salvation in the past tense—we have “been saved” (Ephesians 2:8), in the present tense—we are “being saved” (1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 2:15), and in the future tense—we “shall . . . be saved” (Rom. 5:9).