Salvation Is God's Work

Complete salvation is God's work in us: past, present, and future. That is to say, in Christ we have been saved; we are being saved; we shall be saved. Three words describe God's work of salvation in us: justified, sanctified, and glorified.

Complete salvation is in Jesus Christ. We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. We are being saved, growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Christ is our sanctification. We shall be saved, because Christ is our glorification. When Christ returns, we shall be glorified (Romans 8:30).

Complete salvation includes justification, sanctification, and glorification. It's all by God's grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our total salvation. In Christ, we are justified and free from all condemnation. In Christ, we are being sanctified until we are glorified. In Christ, we shall be glorified at his appearing (1 John 3:2).

Complete salvation is God's work in us through Christ. God began our salvation; God continues our salvation; God shall complete our salvation. "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). God justifies us in Christ (Romans 5:1). God sanctifies us in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2). God shall glorify us in Christ.

God's Mercy Saves Us

"So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" (Romans 9:16). God shows mercy, not earned by our efforts, because "it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs." Our will power and works can never save us (Titus 3:5). God's mercy saves us. 

God's mercy is Christ crucified for our sins. That is to say, the sacrificial death of Christ satisfies the demands of God's holiness and justice against our sin. God's justice is satisfied for sinners who trust in Christ alone for mercy and justification. "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world" (1 John 2:2).

God's mercy is our salvation. God transforms and renews the mind (Romans 12:1-2). Such a change enables us to repent. The word "repent" comes from two Greek words. Meta means change. Nous means mind. God's mercy leads us to repent (Romans 2:4).

God's mercy cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). We confess our sins to God. He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Yes, God's mercy in Christ forgives and cleanses us from all sin.