The Bible explains salvation in Romans 10:9. It says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Salvation requires two actions; speaking and believing. It’s a verbal profession of faith that only comes when the heart is turned towards God. From that moment you are saved from the judgment of sin and abide in Jesus Christ’s righteousness. Ordo salutis is the “order of salvation”. “This focuses on the acts of God and the response of the individual in salvation” (The Order of Salvation | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org, n.d.).
Apostle Paul gives us an overview of ordo salutis in Romans 8:29-30. “For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.” (Christian Standard Bible (CSB).)
The sequent “order of salvation” is effective calling, regeneration, conversion, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. Each step brings you closer to God and fully submersed in his sonship. It is by saving grace and nothing that you can earn yet given because God’s love for you. John 3:16 says, for God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, so that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. That is God’s plan for you. To bring you back home as his own—a child of God.
John 1:12 says, “But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,” (Christian Standard Bible (CSB).) The act of adoption happens as you become a part of the family of God. In Dr. Toney Evan’s Commentary of Romans 8:14-15 he states, “If we walk according to the Spirit as God desires, we prove ourselves to be God’s sons. Not only are we sons (and daughters). But we are adopted children. If a person was adopted in Paul’s time, that individual immediately received all the rights of an adult heir. Their chief right that Paul mentions here is intimacy with God. We therefore can pray, Abba, Father. Abba is a term of intimacy meaning “Papa” or “Daddy.” We can say it with complete assurance that God is listening.” (Evans, 2019)
Salvation is a precious gift from God that we do not deserve. While we were still yet sinners, Christ died for us. So, our adoption in the family of God can never be provoked because it was never earned. When you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, you are completely transformed and now led by the Holy Spirit, instead of being a slave to sin. When I came to understand God as my “Daddy” I became immovable in this everchanging world of sin. My past was behind me, and I now face every problem with my Father, who saves me.
References
Evans, T. (2019). The Tony Evans Bible commentary: Advancing God’s Kingdom Agenda. Holman Reference.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name | Christian Standard Bible (CSB) | Download The Bible App Now. (n.d.). Www.bible.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://my.bible.com/bible/1713/JHN.1.12
Romans 8:29-30 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and thos | Christian Standard Bible (CSB) | Download The Bible App Now. (n.d.). Www.bible.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://my.bible.com/bible/1713/ROM.8.29-30
The Order of Salvation | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org. (n.d.). Ligonier Ministries. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/order-salvation