Salvation in Full

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Acts 24:1-27

Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Acts 24:25 (NKJV)

It is common these days to speak of SALVATION in a limited fashion. When we say that someone "got saved", we usually mean that they came to faith and experienced conversion wherein their sins are forgiven and they are born again. This is the BEGINNING of the Christian life.

Salvation, in the biblical sense, is far more comprehensive than just the event of initiation. There are three biblical words that describe the entire salvation experience. Those words are JUSTIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION, and GLORIFICATION. Paul spoke to Felix about "righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come." These three directly refer to the three parts of complete salvation.

JUSTIFICATION is the act of God in which He gives (imputes) RIGHTEOUSNESS to the believer. Justification comes only by faith. It is the work of God to give you new life. He regenerates your spirit and grants you a new identity in Christ.

SANCTIFICATION is the life-long process that begins at your justification. It is the process wherein you are progressively transformed into the likeness of Christ. Paul spoke of SELF-CONTROL. This does not mean that man accomplishes sanctification by his own will-power. Rather, sanctification is a COOPERATIVE act. God the Holy Spirit works in our mind, emotions, and will to enable us to cooperate with God in bringing our life under God's control.

GLORIFICATION is that great event at the Second Coming of Christ wherein our bodies will finally be transformed to become like His body. This, obviously, is the last JUDGMENT. No more sickness or sin. No more sorrow or pain. The old will be fully passed away and he new will be visible.

Paul spoke these great truths to Felix. Correspondingly, we speak today to our world of what the writer of Hebrews called "so great a salvation."

I might add one last word from today's passage: PROCRASTINATION. Felix procrastinated. He said, "Not now." "Maybe later." Are you procrastinating as he did? God offers us life - full life. Why would any of us ever want to wait?