Background
A general look at the world today reveals man’s condition because of his fallen sinful state. Left to himself, man with all his inventions will drift further and further away from God. Man is in desperate need of someone to save him out of his plight. Man is in need of a Saviour. Man is in need of Salvation.
The bible teaches all men are sinners as outlined in the following verses:
Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags …”
1st Kings 8:46 “… there is no man that sinneth not …”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
As a result of sin all men have come under condemnation with a final penalty of death (Romans 6:23). This is a universal judgment because God has revealed enough of himself in nature so that no one can plead ignorance. In Psalm 19:1 we are told that “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork”; while in Roman 1:20 Paul tells us that “invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen … so that they are without excuse”. All humanity therefore stands as guilty before God and is clearly in need of salvation.
Definition of Salvation
The word salvation refers to any kind of deliverance, preservation or liberation. From a biblical or theological standpoint salvation refers to the deliverance from the power and effect of sin.
This means that a person who receives salvation is no longer under the bondage of sin but is free to serve God and do the right things. It also means that the person is freed from the penalty of death for sin which was passed on all mankind and now has a hope of eternal life in heaven when Christ comes back for his church.
Past, Present and Future Phases of Salvation
The above definition illustrates that salvation has three phases: past, present and future. In the past tense, salvation refers to the point in time when a person receives forgiveness of sin and power to live for God. In the present tense, saved persons are presently enjoying forgiveness of sins and the power to live God with freedom from the power or effects of sin. In the future tense persons will be saved (from eternal damnation) when Jesus comes back for his church. At this time saved persons will receive glorified immortal bodies and will reign with Christ eternally.