The Three Tenses of Our Salvation
If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ and His FINISHED work (death & resurrection) alone then you can say the following: “I have been saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved.”
Some Scriptural Examples for JUSTIFICATION (1st Tense – Salvation from the PENALTY of sin):
1. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
2. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” – Titus 3:5
3. “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” – 1 Corinthians 1:21
Some Scriptural examples for SANCTIFICATION (2nd Tense – Salvation from the POWER of sin):
1. “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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:12-13
2. “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.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18
3. “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” – James 5:19-20
Some Scriptural examples for GLORIFICATION (3rd Tense – Salvation from the PRESENCE of sin):
1. “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” – Romans 13:11
2. “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” – Romans 5:9