Part 4 · Deep dive
Saved, being saved, will be saved
Justification, sanctification and glorification: salvation as past, present and future.
Ask a Christian 'Are you saved?' and Scripture would let them answer: yes, I have been; yes, I am being; and yes, I will be. Each is true and important.
Past: I have been saved
'God saved you by His grace when you believed' (Ephesians 2:8). When we come to Christ we are forgiven, justified, adopted and given the Spirit. This is a finished gift.
Present: I am being saved
'The message of the cross… is the power of God to us who are being saved' (1 Corinthians 1:18). The Spirit is changing us from glory to glory into Christ's likeness. We 'work out' our salvation because God is at work in us.
Future: I will be saved
'Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed' (Romans 13:11). At Christ's return we will be saved from final judgment, our bodies raised and glorified, and creation set free.
The golden chain: Romans 8:29–30
'God knew His people in advance… predestined… called… gave them right standing… gave them His glory.' Paul speaks of glory in the past tense, as if already done, because God's purpose cannot fail.
How traditions describe the process
Where traditions differ
Orthodox
Salvation is theosis: a lifelong journey of union with God, beginning at baptism and continuing through the sacraments, prayer and repentance into eternity.
Catholic
Justification includes forgiveness and inner renewal (CCC 1989); grace can grow, and the faithful persevere to final salvation.
Protestant
Justification is a once-for-all declaration of righteousness; sanctification is the lifelong growth that follows and flows from it.
Why the three tenses matter
Forget the past tense and you lose assurance. Forget the present and you lose holiness. Forget the future and you lose hope. Held together, they give peace, purpose and joy.
Key takeaways
- Salvation is past (justified), present (sanctified) and future (glorified).
- God's purpose from calling to glory cannot fail.
- Holding all three tenses gives assurance, holiness and hope.