Revised February 22, 2013
The following tables attempt to summarize various aspects of change associated with salvation. These aspects are best understood, not as totally distinct and mechanical, but as different facets of the same gem.
My part, repentance and faith, would never take place were it not for God's gracious pre-salvation work done to every human being:
| M Y P A R T | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before | Transition | After |
| What is my disposition? | ||
| I favor sin, and trust myself. But I may be under conviction and beginning to understand the gospel. |
Repentance and faith (turning from sin and trusting Christ, not a work) |
I disdain sin and trust Jesus Christ as my savior. I grow in my obedience to Christ as Lord. |
| G O D ' S P A R T | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before | Positional transition (sudden and total) | After |
| Am I guilty? What is my legal standing? | ||
| Guilty and condemned (John 3:18) Under God's wrath (John 3:36, Rom 2:5) |
Reconciliation, propitiation, remission, justification, forgiveness | Reconciled/peace with God (Rom 5:1,8-11; 2 Cor 5:18-20) Christ's righteousness imputed to me (put on my account, Col 2:13: 2 Cor 5:21) Justified, whether Jew or Gentile (Isa 53:11; Rom 3:30; 4:5; 8:33; Gal 3:8) Forgiven, no condemnation (Col 2:13; John 5:24) |
| What is my nature? Can I do any spiritual good? | ||
| Dead in your sins (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13) Enslaved to sin (John 8:34) |
New birth (regeneration), new nature | Crossed over from death unto life (John 5:24) Alive with Christ (Col 2:13) Free of sin's power (John 8:36; Rom 6:6, 1 Pet 2:24) |
| What family am I in? | ||
| "your father, the devil" (John 8:44) | Adoption, new brotherhood (the church) | "children of God" (John 1:12) brothers in Christ (Acts 15:36; Rom 12:1) |
| Where do I end up? | ||
| Hell (Matt 23:33) Separated from God forever (2 Thes 1:9) |
New destiny, new hope | Heaven, an heir with Christ (Rom 8:17), God's presence forever (1 Thes 4:17) |