Growing up in my Baptist Church (which I loved and still value), I was taught that salvation is that moment that you trust Jesus as your Savior.  In fact, I came to know Jesus as Savior on December 6, 1983 at age six, and I have always referred to that day as the day I got saved.  In fact, I still refer to it that way.

But as I grew in my faith, I learned that the Bible has a past, present, and future aspect to the doctrine of salvation; that is, for the Christian, he has been saved, is being saved, and will be saved.  Let me explain…

As the Apostle Paul writes Scripture, he gives us an “Order of Salvation” – a specific way in which God works out his plan of salvation.  Within that order are three key doctrines: Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification, all three of which are found in our text today.

• Phil 3:9 is Justification– the one time ACT of God’s grace where God declares his people righteous by imputing Christ’s righteousness to us and is received by faith.  As a child, I was justified on Dec 6, 1983.  Justification removes the PENALTY of sin.

• Phil 3:10 is Sanctification – the WORK of God’s grace where God grows us in the grace and knowledge of Christ and we are called to die to sin and live to righteousness.  From the moment we are justified until we die (or Jesus returns) is the ongoing work of sanctification.  Sanctification removes the POWER of sin.

• Phil 3:11 is Glorification – the ACT of God’s grace where the presence of sin is removed from believers at Christ’s return and our resurrection.  Glorification removes the PRESENCE of sin.

Rev. Adam Mumpower, Senior Pastor

Photo by Cassie Boca on Unsplash