I press on toward the goal.
—Philippians 3:14
Christianity isn’t an inoculation that provides immunity from suffering or sin. On our earthly journey, we experience sickness and sorrow, and we struggle with sin.
There are three tenses of salvation.
When we come to Christ, surrendering in faith and obedience, we have been (past tense) saved from the penalty of sin. It is God’s initial gift of justification (Rom 5:1).
We are being (present tense) saved from the power of sin, enabling us to increasingly become like Jesus. It is God’s ongoing gift of sanctification (2 Cor 3:18).
We will be (future tense) saved from the very presence of sin when Christ returns and takes us home. It is God’s ultimate gift of glorification (1 Cor 15:42–43).
Live today leaning forward; your best days are yet to come.
Heaven up ahead.