Dear Brother/Sister in Christ,
I want to talk to you about something that can change everything in your walk with God—salvation. But not just any salvation. The fullness of salvation—a beautiful, transformative journey that touches every part of your life: your past, your present, and your future.
Maybe you've heard the word "salvation" a thousand times, but today, I want to help you understand it in a deeper, more personal way. Salvation isn’t just a one-time moment when you gave your life to Jesus. It’s a journey—a journey that has begun and continues to unfold right now. And it’s leading you to something glorious.
As a follower of Christ, you’ve already been saved (Justification), but God isn’t done with you. He’s saving you right now (Sanctification). And there’s a day coming when you’ll experience the fullness of salvation—when you will be saved once and for all, body and soul (Glorification).
Salvation is the divine work of God in the life of a believer, a transformative journey that encompasses the past, the present, and the future. It is not merely a one-time event, but a continuous process that culminates in the glorious destiny prepared for those who love God. In this article, we will explore the fullness of salvation through four key stages: Justification, Sanctification, Perfection, and Glorification. Each stage is deeply rooted in Scripture and essential to the Christian life. You cannot choose to embrace one and ignore the others. There is no sanctification without justification, but neither will there be glorification without sanctification and perfection—unless, like the thief on the cross, your journey ends on the very day of your justification. For the rest of us, the journey must continue.
Ignoring this full journey has consequences. To neglect sanctification is to reject the very process that conforms us to the image of Christ. To resist perfection is to miss out on the maturity God desires for us. And to take glorification for granted without living a set-apart life is to misunderstand the hope we are called to.
So, let’s dive into what this all means for YOU. This is not just empty theories; this is God’s plan for YOUR life, and I want you to embrace it fully. I believe it will completely change your perspective on your relationship with Him.
The moment you chose to trust Jesus as your Savior, something powerful happened. You were declared righteous before God. Yes, I’m talking about Justification—the most beautiful legal declaration that could ever happen in your life. God looked at you, saw your mess, your flaws, your mistakes, and instead of condemning you, He declared you righteous because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. If you’ve accepted Jesus, then you’ve been justified. The work is finished. Jesus took care of it all. There is no condemnation for you, friend. You are free.
Scriptures to Celebrate:
Romans 5:1 – “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Romans 3:24 – “And all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Just like Abraham (Genesis 15:6), whose faith was counted as righteousness, God sees you through the lens of Christ’s sacrifice. You are made right with Him—not because of anything you’ve done, but because of His grace alone.
But wait! Salvation doesn’t stop with justification. God is actively working in you today. Sanctification is the ongoing process where God, by His Holy Spirit, is making you holy, setting you apart for His purposes, and transforming you into the image of Christ.
This isn’t just a future promise. It’s happening NOW.
God is constantly teaching you, refining you, purifying you, and setting you apart from the things of this world. And, trust me, it’s not always easy! But here’s the good news: He is doing it through His Word and His Spirit, and He will never leave you.
Scriptures to Embrace:
John 17:17 – “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…”
Hebrews 12:14 – “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Remember the priests in the Old Testament? They had to undergo a purification process to be set apart for God’s work. You, too, are being purified. Every trial you face, every challenge, is shaping you, making you more like Jesus.
And while it may feel tough at times, don’t lose heart. This is God’s work in you. The trials are producing something precious—the image of Christ in you.
Let me tell you something exciting: God isn’t finished with you yet! The journey to spiritual maturity—what the Bible calls Perfection—is one that you’re on right now. God is using your struggles, your failures, and your victories to shape you into someone more like Jesus. Every test, every temptation, is refining you like gold in the fire.
Don’t shy away from the hard times. You are being perfected. Through perseverance, your faith is growing. Through challenges, you’re learning to depend on God. This is how God is perfecting you.
Scriptures to Hold On To:
James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Philippians 3:12-14 – “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Think of Job, who lost everything yet clung to his faith in God, or Joseph, whose suffering led him to a place of immense leadership and influence. Their trials perfected them. Your struggles are doing the same.
And here’s the most beautiful part of it all, Glorification. One day, when Christ returns, you will be completely transformed—body, soul, and spirit. No more pain. No more sorrow. No more tears. You will be made fully like Jesus.
Can you imagine that? A perfect, resurrected body that will never age, never decay, never suffer again. A glorified body, just like the one Jesus had after His resurrection.
Scriptures to Look Forward To:
Romans 8:29-30 – “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son… and those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.”
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 – “We will all be changed… for the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.”
Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
This is your ultimate hope, my friend. No more struggling with sin. No more battle with temptation. You will be glorified with Jesus, forever.
I want you to know this: Salvation is not just something that happened to you in the past. Yes, you’ve been justified. Yes, you are being sanctified. And yes, one day, you will be glorified. But what does this mean for you today?
It means that God is at work in you right now, and He’s not finished yet. You may not be where you want to be, but you’re not where you used to be, and that’s because God is actively transforming you.
Embrace this process. Celebrate your justification—you are declared righteous in Christ! Welcome the sanctification—God is making you holy! Press on toward perfection—God is refining you to become more like Jesus! And look forward to glorification—One day, you will be completely like Him, free from all suffering and sin!
Take a moment today and ask yourself—where are you in this journey? Are you struggling with sin or feeling unworthy? Remember that you are justified and Allow Jesus to Sanctify you. Are you in the middle of a tough season, facing trials and hardships? Know that God is perfecting your faith.
And above all, don’t forget to look forward to the glorious future awaiting you. Salvation is not just a destination. It’s a process—a beautiful, ongoing work of God in your life.
Friend, embrace it. Walk in it. And never forget that you are being saved, every single day.
Want to dive deeper?
Spend time reflecting on each phase of salvation this week. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His work in your life. This journey is far from over—there’s more God wants to do in you.
Shalom