The Past, Present, and Future Tense of Salvation

We never get past the gospel. What saved us in the past, when we were still in our sins-fallen sons of Adam by nature-was the grace of God in the gospel. Nowhere is that put more succinctly than in Ephesians: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

But the New Testament can also speak about our salvation in the present tense-we are "being saved" (1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 2:15)-as well as in the future tense-we "shall...be saved" (Rom. 5:9).

There is only one salvation and one way of salvation. What occurred in our past, works itself out in our present, and comes to consummation in the future is all of a piece. Justification now leads to glorification then (Rom. 8:29-30).

Derek Thomas, How The Gospel Brings Us All The Way Home