Honest Question.

[ozso]

The issue can be how we are using the word "salvation", because are we talking about part of God's work of saving us--e.g. the reception of faith? Or are we talking about the whole thing? Because salvation is a very multi-faceted thing. It's why theologians have spoken about things such as the Ordo Salutis ("order of salvation") and have spoken about discrete concepts such as justification, sanctification/theosis, and glorification.

I have a suspicion that when many Protestants are talking about salvation they are talking about justification more specifically. And specifically within the more Reformed understanding of justification (as opposed to the Lutheran or Catholic views). Thus justification is understood as a singular and instantaneous moment,

In Lutheranism we speak of justification doubly as the objective work of Christ accomplished on the cross, which is universal; and we speak of the way we benefit from His once-and-finished work through faith which God creates in us. Thus justification becomes understood as an ever-present reality; not a process, but neither a singular moment in time. We are justified because God declares us just, God declare us just on Christ's account because of what He has done, and through faith the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us: that is an ever-present truth. God is declaring us just even right now, thus we can point to the external word of God in Word and Sacrament--to our baptism, to our hearing the Gospel, to the Lord's Supper, to Confession and Absolution--and say here God is declaring us just on Christ's account, we are justified on Christ's account alone, as grace alone, and through faith alone.

As per Lutheran thinking, sanctification and our future glorification all depend on justification; and thus our salvation is to be said to be entirely by the grace of God alone through faith. That salvation is God's gift and work, it is what He is always giving, always working by His grace. We are being saved because God is always at work giving us salvation as pure gift--as grace alone. And we are always the passive recipients of His grace and work, through the gift of faith alone. Thus salvation by grace alone through faith alone as the Evangelical Reformers understood it.

-CryptoLutheran

This video explains the Lutheran version of the video I shared in post #34

 

[ozso]

My gripe is I think too many limit salvation to where they go after they die. And that's not only what Jesus taught. Jesus taught us a lot about how He wants us to live during our lifetime. What He wants for us during our lifetime. What He wants from us during our lifetime. That He wants to save us from sin and evil during this lifetime. To overcome the world and our own corrupt flesh. The grace of God is to save us from our wretchedness here and now and throughout our lifetime.

 

[SeventhFisherofMen]

Is salvation always instantaneous? Or is it sometimes a process?

For example, Abdu Murry had a long process before he left Islam and converted to Christianity.

I wonder if, even in the process of Abdu's salvation, there was ever a particular point where he went from unsaved to saved.

Thanks for any replies.

I love how Paul was humble enough to write even when writing scripture "1 Corinthians 7:10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord):"

So in light of that i say (i not the Lord) it is instantaneous in my experience. Yes the process may take time but there is an instant where you have prayed that you ask for forgiveness and you ask Jesus into your life, it is at that moment you have been given salvation. Be careful if you think you stand, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

 

[Strong in Him]

Is salvation always instantaneous? Or is it sometimes a process?

I believe that salvation from sin and eternal death is instant. Sanctification is a life-long process and when we die, we will have full salvation - i.e. no more illness, sin, pain, disability, failure etc etc.

I was always "becoming a Christian" when I was a teenager. I would repent and give my life to God, discover some sin I hadn't known about or some part of my life that was un-surrendered, believed that I hadn't done it properly, or that he didn't have all of me the first time - and made another commitment/signed on another dotted line/went forward at another service. Even then, it took years for me to believe that God loved me.
I don't believe that I was saved every time, or a little bit more saved. I don't think I'm any more saved now than I was then - but I know God a whole lot better. And I'm still not perfect.

 

[oikonomia]

Is salvation always instantaneous? Or is it sometimes a process?

Salvation is both depending on what part of your being God is working with.

I was saved.
I am being saved.
I will be saved.

All three are entirely biblical.

Regeneration of the human spirit is instaneous - saved.
Transformation of the soul is an ongoing life-long matter - being saved.
Transfiguration of the body is in the twinkling of an eye - will be saved.

The process is God working rom the inside out to sanctify WHOLLY our spirit and soul and body, the three parts of out being.

"And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it." (1 Thess. 5:23,24)

Would anyone like to enjoy a song version of this passage verse 23?