Four Aspects Of
Salvation
Romans 13:11
Sin has ruined our race, made us all
"children of wrath," brought us under the curse of God's holy law,
into a state of spiritual death, made us the enemies of God, and will bring us
at last into hell to suffer the just and infinite wrath of almighty God forever
unless God himself sovereignly intervenes and saves us. Salvation is God's work
entirely. Salvation is the complete deliverance of our souls from sin and all
its consequences into "the glorious liberty of the sons of God." That
salvation is revealed as a fourfold salvation.
SALVATION PURPOSED - God almighty purposed
to save a people before the world began. He chose an elect multitude whom no
man can number and in his sovereign decree declared them to be saved from
eternity through the blood of Christ, "the Lamb slain from the foundation
of the world". This salvation by God's sovereign decree and purpose of
grace is clearly revealed in Holy Scripture (II Tim. 1:9). It is this purpose
of grace that is the rule by which God executes all things in time (Rom.
SALVATION ACCOMPLISHED - In the fulness of
time, Christ came into the world to save his people from their sins (Matt.
SALVATION EXPERIENCED - Salvation must be
experienced too. In fact, salvation by God's decree and by Christ's blood is of
absolutely no benefit to anyone until it is experienced by the regenerating
power and grace of God the Holy Spirit. This experience of salvation is the new
birth, the gift of faith, and the seal of grace (Eph.
SALVATION COMPLETED - In the resurrection,
when Christ comes again, our salvation will be complete (Rom.
Don Fortner