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Present Progressive Salvation Explained “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” – Psalm 37:37 |
Regenerate Christians were initially saved, must presently and progressively be saved, and will be finally saved when the gospel consummates at Christ’s coming. Therefore we wait, and do not now have the full salvation which is to come – the “salvation to be revealed” (1 Peter 1:5). In the previous study leading up to this section, the Gospel was amplified by promise and command in five separate and definitive terms – crucified, resurrected, baptized, put on, and quickened. When this is understood, we can see that the call of the Gospel was not merely a single-sensed calling, or a single-sensed salvation, but it initially began, then it presently and progressively continues in the personal walk of a true believer. Lastly, when these two senses of the Gospel call are savingly kept, then the believer is led into the Gospel’s fulfillment and final consummation for which it was set forth – the call’s conclusion – the third sense of salvation – the final resurrection – “the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Php. 3:14).
There are various other terms descriptive of the salvific work of Christ accomplished in the true believer, and by them we can also see an exhaustive explanation of what we now have in the partial completion of the gospel experience here on earth, and that which will be finally consummated in the end – the final resurrection. When these are cited and paralleled next to each other, like the notations below, it is easier to understand the holistic mindset of the inspired writers in their terminology, phraseology, teaching, rhetoric, and theology.
At the final consummation of the gospel, which is our salvation, then “that which is perfect is come”, which means our salvation experience, which is presently “in part”, is done away with, and our reconciliation, which was “in part”, is done away with; therefore, then it will be the final resurrection wherein begins the face-to-face encounter of saints with God, to ever be with God in eternal, sinless perfection (1 Cor. 13:9-10). There are two verses in NT scripture which preach the consummation of salvation as perfection (1 Cor. 13:10, Php. 3:12, Prov. 4:18). This is understandable, because we are to strive to “be accepted of Him” (2 Cor. 5:9-10) on that final Day, and our acceptance rewards to us an eternity of sinlessly dwelling with God in His sinless perfection. Here, the end of the gospel call is spoken of in the term “perfection”. If the Gospel call’s consummation is spoken of in this term – “perfection” – could there be other senses of this very same word which define the initial or present progressive forms of the gospel? For example, the word “resurrection” describes the consummating end of the gospel call (1 Cor. 15:50), but it also describes the initial and present progressive experience of a believer (Rom. 6:4). In the very same way, the word “perfection” is used. I have cited two verses which use the word “perfection” as the consummating end of the gospel (1 Cor. 10:13, Php. 3:12), but I will soon cover at least 20 other uses of the word “perfect”, “perfected”, or “perfection”, which all refer to the initial and present progressive experience of the gospel call. There would be a drastic change in our prayers and preaching if we understood the meaning behind these words. Where the gospel is preached (initially, present-progressively, or finally), eternity hangs in the balance! Does a man desire to obtain final perfection, which is the final resurrection? Let him obtain the two senses of perfection which are attainable now in Christ: initial and present progressive perfection.
The entire goal of the NT pastors was to cause the Church to be an acceptable presentation to Christ at His coming, meaning, they are in a perfect, complete, saving relationship in the NT Covenant sense. If a man is perfectly fulfilling all five senses of the initial and present progressive experience of the gospel call – crucified, resurrected, baptized, put on, quickened – then such a one is “perfect”, in its initial and present progressive sense, and for a man to be perfect, then he is also, biblically speaking – blameless (unblameable, without blame & offence, unreprovable & without rebuke, faultless, and sincere), holy (sanctified), and without blemish and spot. These new terms that I have listed are separated into four other categories which make up, as you will see, more gospel synonyms which define God’s approval and acceptance of a NT Christian initially, present-progressively, and finally, and if the NT believer is not acceptable to God in any of these three senses of the gospel call, then God uses one of the four categories of terms to express and define His disapproval and rejection of them. Therefore, all of these terms hold the utmost weight because they are descriptive of a person’s saving faith in the gospel experience, initially, present-progressively, and finally, and so also these terms are used in the very same three contextual scenarios or senses in NT scripture. In these terms, we can see the burden of salvation expanded beyond the five terms of the gospel and salvation which we have already discussed. These four terms which make up four categories of study are charted below, and following this chart, they are divided and expounded in their sense and meaning.
There are various other terms descriptive of the salvific work of Christ accomplished in the true believer, and by them we can also see an exhaustive explanation of what we now have in the partial completion of the gospel experience here on earth, and that which will be finally consummated in the end – the final resurrection. When these are cited and paralleled next to each other, like the notations below, it is easier to understand the holistic mindset of the inspired writers in their terminology, phraseology, teaching, rhetoric, and theology.
- Adopted now (Rom. 8:15) – Consummating Adoption to come (Rom. 8:23)
- Redeemed now (1 Cor. 1:30) – Consummating Redemption to come (Php. 3:14, Rom. 8:23).
- Regeneration now (Titus 3:5) – Consummating Regeneration to come (Rom. 8:18-21, Php. 3:12-14)
- Kingdom within you now (Lk. 17:21, Col. 1:13, Eph. 2:6) – Consummating Kingdom to come (2 Tim. 4:1, Rev. 3:21)
- On Mount Zion now (Heb. 12:22) – Consummating ascent upon Mount Zion to come (Rev. 14:1-5)
- Resurrection now (Rom. 6:4) – Consummating Resurrection to come (1 Cor. 15:50)
- Eternal Life now (1 John 3:15, 5:12-13) – Consummating Eternal Life to come (2 Cor. 5:1-4, 1 Tim. 6:12)
- Overcoming power now (Eph. 2:5, 1 John 5:4) – Consummating Overcoming power to come (1 Cor. 15:54-57)
- Defeat of Death now (Rom. 8:2, 6, Eph. 2:5) – Consummating Defeat of Death to come (1 Cor. 15:54-57)
- In the Light now (Eph. 5:8) – Consummating, Eternal Day of Light to come (Prov. 4:18, 2 Peter 1:19, Rev. 21:23-25)
- Seeing God now (2 Cor. 3:17-18, 1 Cor. 13:12, Heb. 11:27) – Consummating revelatory sight to come (1 John 3:2)
- Perfect Now (Heb. 10:14) – Consummating Perfection to come (Php. 3:12, 1 Cor. 13:10, Prov. 4:18)
- “As He is” now (1 John 4:17) – Consummating conformity, “as He is” in glory, to come (1 John 3:2, Rev. 2:27)
- Knowing Him now (1 John 2:4, John 17:3) – Consummating knowing, “even as also I am known” to come (1 Cor. 13:12)
- Elect now (2 Jn. 1:1, 13, 1 Pet. 1:2) – Consummating Election to come (2 Peter 1:10)
- Called now (1 Cor. 1:26) – Consummating Calling to come (Php. 3:14)
- Chosen now (1 Peter 2:9) – Consummating Choice to come (Matt. 22:14, Rev. 17:14)
At the final consummation of the gospel, which is our salvation, then “that which is perfect is come”, which means our salvation experience, which is presently “in part”, is done away with, and our reconciliation, which was “in part”, is done away with; therefore, then it will be the final resurrection wherein begins the face-to-face encounter of saints with God, to ever be with God in eternal, sinless perfection (1 Cor. 13:9-10). There are two verses in NT scripture which preach the consummation of salvation as perfection (1 Cor. 13:10, Php. 3:12, Prov. 4:18). This is understandable, because we are to strive to “be accepted of Him” (2 Cor. 5:9-10) on that final Day, and our acceptance rewards to us an eternity of sinlessly dwelling with God in His sinless perfection. Here, the end of the gospel call is spoken of in the term “perfection”. If the Gospel call’s consummation is spoken of in this term – “perfection” – could there be other senses of this very same word which define the initial or present progressive forms of the gospel? For example, the word “resurrection” describes the consummating end of the gospel call (1 Cor. 15:50), but it also describes the initial and present progressive experience of a believer (Rom. 6:4). In the very same way, the word “perfection” is used. I have cited two verses which use the word “perfection” as the consummating end of the gospel (1 Cor. 10:13, Php. 3:12), but I will soon cover at least 20 other uses of the word “perfect”, “perfected”, or “perfection”, which all refer to the initial and present progressive experience of the gospel call. There would be a drastic change in our prayers and preaching if we understood the meaning behind these words. Where the gospel is preached (initially, present-progressively, or finally), eternity hangs in the balance! Does a man desire to obtain final perfection, which is the final resurrection? Let him obtain the two senses of perfection which are attainable now in Christ: initial and present progressive perfection.
The entire goal of the NT pastors was to cause the Church to be an acceptable presentation to Christ at His coming, meaning, they are in a perfect, complete, saving relationship in the NT Covenant sense. If a man is perfectly fulfilling all five senses of the initial and present progressive experience of the gospel call – crucified, resurrected, baptized, put on, quickened – then such a one is “perfect”, in its initial and present progressive sense, and for a man to be perfect, then he is also, biblically speaking – blameless (unblameable, without blame & offence, unreprovable & without rebuke, faultless, and sincere), holy (sanctified), and without blemish and spot. These new terms that I have listed are separated into four other categories which make up, as you will see, more gospel synonyms which define God’s approval and acceptance of a NT Christian initially, present-progressively, and finally, and if the NT believer is not acceptable to God in any of these three senses of the gospel call, then God uses one of the four categories of terms to express and define His disapproval and rejection of them. Therefore, all of these terms hold the utmost weight because they are descriptive of a person’s saving faith in the gospel experience, initially, present-progressively, and finally, and so also these terms are used in the very same three contextual scenarios or senses in NT scripture. In these terms, we can see the burden of salvation expanded beyond the five terms of the gospel and salvation which we have already discussed. These four terms which make up four categories of study are charted below, and following this chart, they are divided and expounded in their sense and meaning.
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The Gospel By Promise (FINISHED IN THE PAST)
God tells you what He has done. How He walked. ~ Imputed Righteousness (Rom. 8:10, Eph. 2:8-9, 1 Cor. 6:11)~ 1) Perfect & Complete
2) Blameless (unblameable, without blame & offence, unreprovable & without rebuke, faultless, sincere)
3) Holy & Sanctified
4) Without Blemish & Spot
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The Gospel By Command (AT PRESENT)
God tells you what you must do, in Him & through Him. How you must walk, in Him & through Him. ~Works Righteousness (1 Cor. 6:9-10, Eph. 2:10)~ Walk: Col. 2:6, Gal. 5:16, 25, Eph. 4:17, 5:8, 1 Cor. 3:3, 1 John 2:6 1) Perfect & Complete
2) Blamelessness (unblameable, without blame, unreprovable)
3) Holy & Sanctified
4) Without Blemish & Spot
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The Church, upon regeneration, is initially saved, and to be initially saved, then you have undergone the gospel experience called “imputed righteousness”. If you have imputed righteousness, then, lawfully speaking, you have the righteousness of Christ covering you. Therefore at this point, you are savingly in perfection/completion; you are savingly, perfectly, and completely joined to Christ! If a man has imputed righteousness, but then fails to maintain his saving faith, this is a failure to maintain unity with the life of the righteous Christ which indwells him; therefore he will not produce Christ’s works righteousness (called “My works” [Rev. 2:26]). If a man does not have works righteousness, then he has dead faith, and if it is not revived or made alive again, then he too will be judged dead, without God, Christ, and imputed righteousness – thus he has fallen from perfection into blame. If a man falls from a saving relationship with Christ, which is by saving faith apart from works, and then those inward, immediate, and empowering qualities of the gospel are not walked out, which means that the powers of initial salvation are not presently and progressively experienced by the individual, then there is no present progressive works righteousness. If a man falls from works righteousness and yet pleads for salvation because he once had imputed righteousness, he is arguing for mercy because he once believed the gospel which he no longer believes at present. Scripture overwhelmingly declares that such a man will not be saved except by the restoration of faith and repentance.
When a man is in perfection, he is in blamelessness (unblameable, without blame and offence, unreprovable and without rebuke, faultless, and sincere), because he is in the first and active virtues of salvation which clothe a man in the lawful righteousness of Christ’s sinless perfection; but they (those Christians who are perfect initially or present-progressively) are NOT sinlessly perfect by deed until they are finally resurrected at the gospel’s consummation. Therefore also, as a man will be called perfect and blameless, so also he is called holy and sanctified for the same reasons which stem from his saving connection to Christ. He has inward and immediate holiness and sanctification (by nature, Spirit, and law), and is also, therefore, without blemish and spot in the eyes of God. All of this is because he has been baptized with salvation in the Spirit of God, Whose work is to make you crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, and ascended with Christ. Therefore he has put on Christ, and seeing that He is the man’s righteousness, nature, life, and new man, he is all of these characteristics charted above at initial salvation – but will you know that to maintain those characteristics in present progressive salvation is the main burden of the NT writers? As exhaustively as we have covered the other five biblical terms which encapsulate the Gospel by Promise paralleled with the Gospel by Command, the four terms recently charted above are even more exhaustive! When a man comes to understand these terms and their relationship to the purpose of salvation (initially, present-progressively, and finally), it becomes evident that – SALVATION – is the central focus of scriptural preaching and the whole work of the ministry for NT elders, and it required all the talents of the 5 Holy Ghost-empowered offices to even maintain SALVATION! NOT to maintain abundant rewards in heaven, NOT to bring an eternally insignificant work of revival into your church, but to establish YOUR eternal life in the gospel call of present progressive salvation! The question then remains, are you REVIVED!? You may have initially been in revival at your initial salvation, but are you presently and progressively being revived; walking in a continual state of revival? The biblical picture of the final commitment of the Church-Bride to God is called “The Presentation”. Christian or pastor, do you have this burden? Do you even understand it?
When a man is in perfection, he is in blamelessness (unblameable, without blame and offence, unreprovable and without rebuke, faultless, and sincere), because he is in the first and active virtues of salvation which clothe a man in the lawful righteousness of Christ’s sinless perfection; but they (those Christians who are perfect initially or present-progressively) are NOT sinlessly perfect by deed until they are finally resurrected at the gospel’s consummation. Therefore also, as a man will be called perfect and blameless, so also he is called holy and sanctified for the same reasons which stem from his saving connection to Christ. He has inward and immediate holiness and sanctification (by nature, Spirit, and law), and is also, therefore, without blemish and spot in the eyes of God. All of this is because he has been baptized with salvation in the Spirit of God, Whose work is to make you crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, and ascended with Christ. Therefore he has put on Christ, and seeing that He is the man’s righteousness, nature, life, and new man, he is all of these characteristics charted above at initial salvation – but will you know that to maintain those characteristics in present progressive salvation is the main burden of the NT writers? As exhaustively as we have covered the other five biblical terms which encapsulate the Gospel by Promise paralleled with the Gospel by Command, the four terms recently charted above are even more exhaustive! When a man comes to understand these terms and their relationship to the purpose of salvation (initially, present-progressively, and finally), it becomes evident that – SALVATION – is the central focus of scriptural preaching and the whole work of the ministry for NT elders, and it required all the talents of the 5 Holy Ghost-empowered offices to even maintain SALVATION! NOT to maintain abundant rewards in heaven, NOT to bring an eternally insignificant work of revival into your church, but to establish YOUR eternal life in the gospel call of present progressive salvation! The question then remains, are you REVIVED!? You may have initially been in revival at your initial salvation, but are you presently and progressively being revived; walking in a continual state of revival? The biblical picture of the final commitment of the Church-Bride to God is called “The Presentation”. Christian or pastor, do you have this burden? Do you even understand it?
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*** The Presentation ***
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily” (Col. 1:28-29) “To present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight” (Col. 1:22) “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:26-27). “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only Wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 24-25). “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2). |
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WORTHY -->
PERFECTION --> ABOUNDING / --> WITHOUT OFFENSE |
“pray always” (2 Thess. 1:11)
“do not cease to pray” (Col. 1:9-10) “exhorted, comforted, & charged” (1 Thess. 2:11-12) “Night & Day praying exceedingly” (1 Thess. 3:10) “preaching, warning, teaching, all wisdom, labour, striving, His working, mightily” (Col. 1:28-29) “I pray” (Php. 1:9-10) “put you always in remembrance” (2 Pet. 1:12) “stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (2 Pet. 1:13) “always in remembrance” (2 Pet. 1:15) |
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RELATED SERMONS
“The Presentation” – Sean Morris “Worthiness” – Sean Morris “Christian Perfection” – Sean Morris |