| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Salvation past, present, and future” Our Bible verse for today: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) Our thought for today: “Similar but different” Salvation and sanctification are both theological terms which are similar but different. Therefore, Christians are sometimes confused about the difference between them because they both have past, present, and future features. Salvation is a one-time event that happens in a moment in time when a person places his or her faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. In that moment the person is saved. That is salvation in the past tense. However, salvation is also an ongoing reality in that once you are saved you remain saved. You cannot lose your salvation. In the world of theology this is referred to as “the security of the believer.” That is salvation in the present tense. Once saved, always saved. And then, salvation guarantees us eternity in heaven. That is the future of salvation. Sanctification means that something or someone has been set-aside for holy purposes. The person or thing has been sanctified to and for God. That was true of the implements used for worship in the Temple in the Old Testament, and it is true of all who place their faith in Christ. In that moment you are set aside as holy for God. That is the past tense of sanctification in the life of the believer. You have been sanctified. But sanctification is also an ongoing process as the Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer to transform him or her into the likeness of Jesus. This is sanctification in the present tense and it is an ongoing lifelong process. Not only have you been sanctified but you are also in the process of being sanctified, you are changing and transforming more and more into the image of Jesus. And then in heaven you will be fully sanctified, you will be the person God has always intended for you to be and who you will be for all eternity. Salvation and sanctification are similar but different. The distinction between the two is important but sometimes confusing. Your salvation was a one-time past event that is also a present reality and a future hope. And the time of salvation, you were sanctified (set-aside for God). You now continue in the process of being sanctified as the Holy Spirit slowly transforms you more and more into the image of Jesus, and one day in heaven you will be fully sanctified. You are a saved, redeemed, work in progress! You are not yet who you will be but you can thank God you are no longer who you used to be! God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
| Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571 |
- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Oak Hill Baptist Church 