Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, spirit, soul, and body. It is a gift offered to all that accept Jesus Christ as Savior, who gave His blood for the ransom of humanity. In broad terms, salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.
Regeneration or “Born Again” or “New Birth” is a work by Christ alone. Jesus’ work on the cross provides the perfect sacrifice that allows us into God’s presence. It is a work of grace that believers become changed in Christ Jesus. Led and convicted by the Holy Spirit, man has a change of heart and responds with sorrow over their sins and repentance toward their sin and shows faith in the saving work of Jesus. Repentance is having enough sorrow over your sin that it causes you to turn away from it. Faith is believing in Jesus Christ and committing to Him as Lord and Savior.
Justification occurs immediately after regeneration or possibly is the last piece of the regeneration process. Justification is the pardon of your debt of sin, bringing you into the right relationship with God the Father.
Sanctification is a process of becoming more Christlike day by day. This is the process where the believer is set apart for God’s work. As the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer, He continues to convict of sin and bring moral change. This growth in grace continues throughout the believer’s life.
Glorification is the conclusion of salvation and the redeemed’ s final, sanctified, remaining condition.
Salvation and the work of Christ is a reoccurring theme of the Bible. The main focus of the Bible is that God sent His only Son to save a lost and dying world.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
The facets of salvation all point to God’s grace and mercy toward fallen man.
The different facets are:
- Grace: The undeserved favor of God
- Faith: belief and commitment to Jesus Christ for salvation
- Regeneration: spiritual rebirth
- Repentance: a change of heart resulting in abandoning sinful behavior and reliance on God
- Justification: God’s announcement that a Believer is in right standing with God
- Sanctification: The process of becoming more Christ-like
- Glorification: The perfection of God’s character and image when a Believer enters into the presence of God for eternity
