ThreeRs

The Three R's Of Salvation Salvation is the most important topic we can discuss and experience in our entire lives. Nothing on this earth is more valuable than the certainty of knowing that we have been born again and have the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Recently while studying the writings of the apostle Peter it became evident that from Peter's perspective (which came through revelation from the Lord), salvation is more than just a one time event that we experience at a certain point in our lives. Instead, salvation is a definite event, a dynamic process and a determined hope, all at the same time.

Salvation is directly related to the essence of God and the essence of human beings. Just as God is Triune, humans are triune as well. God reveals Himself to humans in terms of relationship: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He also created humans as tripartite beings: spirit, soul (mind), and body. When the first two people who had been created rebelled in disobedience against God, the aftermath of their "missing the mark" (sin) affected their entire beings. Their spirits were separated from direct fellowship and intimate communication with God; their souls were separated from the knowledge and wisdom of God; and their bodies were separated from the perpetual, sustaining, life-giving power of God (the tree of life).

The Bible identifies this separation from God as death. Death is not an annihilation or ceasing to exist; rather, death is a continued existence apart from the physical body (in the case of natural death) and apart from the presence and power of God (in the case of spiritual death). A person who dies physically is separated from their body. Their spirit and soul (which remain undivided) leave the body at death and go to a place God determines. Similarly, a person who is spiritually dead remains separated from God and cannot enter his presence or enjoy his glory. The ultimate end of such people is permanent separation from God unless they accept the provision God has made to restore their relationship and fellowship with Him.

Sin is a spiritual force which separates people from God by changing their nature from agreement with God's character into rebellion and self-will against God. Sin begins in the supra-natural spirit realm and impacts the physical realm in the human soul (mind) in the form of thoughts. When sinful thoughts are entertained and accepted, they result in sinful actions. Therefore, sin must be fought at the level of thought to achieve real victory.

Salvation is the entire work of God in delivering the spirits, minds and bodies of people from the power and penalty of sin. Just as sin affects the entire person (spirit, soul and body), salvation equally affects the entire person. Salvation is an event, a process and a hope. The Scriptures in 1 Peter mentioned earlier points this out quite well, and is supported by numerous other passages of Scripture.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3.

First, Peter tells us that we (those who are believers in Jesus Christ) have been (at a specific point in time) given new birth. Jesus Himself clarifies for us what this term means in His discussion with Nicodemus and the Jews of Israel in the first century.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member

of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said,

"Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no

one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom

of God unless he is born again."

"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot

enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless

he is born of water and the Spirit.

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. John 3:1-6.

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken
to you are spirit and they are life. John 6:63.

Jesus identified the new birth with the beginning of spiritual life and indicated that such life comes from the Holy Spirit of God as a source. Without this new birth experience it is impossible for anyone to enter into a relationship with God.

The most common understanding among people of the meaning of the word "salvation" is in direct reference to the new birth experience. Terms like "getting saved" are used to describe this spiritual event in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ. However, further study of the Scriptures reveals that in the understanding of the apostles, the meaning of the word "salvation" is not limited to the new birth.

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope...

..and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in

heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the

coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.. 1 Peter 1:4-5.

First Peter declares that we have been given new birth into a living hope and an inheritance. Next, he describes our present standing with God as believers (through faith we are shielded by His power). Then he makes reference to a salvation that "is coming" in the last days. This salvation he is referring to cannot be the new birth because it is a hope for those who already have been born again. The key to understanding the meaning of this "coming salvation" must be found in the study of other verses of Scripture.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to

live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great

God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify

for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from
there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring
everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they
will be like his glorious body. Phillipians 3:20-21.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of
childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the
redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.
But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Romans 8:21-25.

The preceding passages of Scripture make it clear that there is an aspect of our salvation that is scheduled to be fulfilled in the future and is distinct from the new birth. The new birth is an event we experience now, at a specific point in time, that begins our relationship with God. The blessed hope is also a part of our salvation and it will happen on a day and hour set by the authority of our Heavenly Father. Yet both of these, the event and the hope, are salvation!

But that is not all.....

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do

not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible

and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith,

the salvation of your souls. 1Peter 1:8-9.

Peter states that these people who have been given new birth and who have a salvation to be revealed in the future, are right now, on a continuing basis, receiving the salvation of their souls! This is different from the new birth by the Spirit of God which brings salvation to their spirits. It is different from the blessed hope which will bring salvation for their bodies. Rather, it is a present tense salvation going on right now, and continuing day by day.

So from the mouth of the Lord's apostle comes a definition of salvation that includes an event, a process and a hope. All of these are salvation: the new birth, the salvation of the soul, and the redemption of the body. One way I like to refer these aspects of salvation is with three R's: Regeneration, Renewal and Resurrection.

1. The new birth is the regeneration of the human spirit.
2. The salvation of the soul is the renewing of the mind.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your

bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your

spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern

of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then

you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good,

pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2.

The renewing of the mind is a process that takes place daily as the Holy Spirit works in us.

3. The resurrection is the salvation of the body.

Our salvation will be complete and fulfilled only when all three of these elements of salvation have taken place. Salvation isn't the partial work of God, it is the entire work of God. Salvation is delivering the spirit, soul and body from the power and penalty of sin. As a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ I can accurately say:

I am saved. I am being saved. I will be saved. Each of these statements are true all at the same time.