Written by Dawn Rutan
Every time we sing All Hail the Power of Jesus Name I have to look carefully at the words of the second verse to make sure I sing it correctly. The lyrics say “Hail Him who saves you by His grace,” but I tend think they should be “Hail Him who saved you by His grace.” Both ways are correct theologically. Salvation is both a past event and an ongoing action. We were saved and all our sins forgiven by Jesus’ death on the cross two millennia ago, and yet that salvation has to be applied daily as we continue to sin.
The Apostle John used both tenses in 1 John. “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake” (2:12 ESV), which many translations render “have been forgiven.” And in 1:9 he wrote, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Other verses also speak of salvation as something that will be completed at the Second Coming: “For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11b); “[You] who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5).
Jesus said “It is finished” (John 19:30). He completed the transaction of paying for our sins, and we will reap the benefits from now through eternity. “For by a single offering, He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).
The fact that our salvation is completed means that we need not fear. If we are among those who have been called by God, we cannot lose what He has given us. “And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified. … [Nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:30, 39). We belong to Him and He will never let us go.
The fact that our salvation is currently being worked out means that sin doesn’t have to separate us from our Father. We don’t have to jump through any hoops or do any penance to earn His forgiveness—all we have to do is confess. We are freed from the power and consequences of sin. “Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by Him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-29).
The fact that our salvation will be completed at our resurrection means we can live and die with hope and confidence. “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). We have freedom to live without fear; to love, serve, and forgive others well; and to proclaim Christ boldly.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” -1 Corinthians 15:58
Photo by Dawn Rutan at Dulin’s Grove Church 2015.
