Salvation, or being “saved,” is presented in Scripture in three tenses, past, present, and future; and all three are designated by the same word “saved” or “salvation,” but context must decide the tense. (A tense is when an action happens.) There is also the obvious sense in which the word is used for a physical kind of salvation, and it can be that the physical salvation is connected to one of the tenses: those who are in a spiritual sense saved will be physically saved.
Understanding the three tenses are importance, so that one does not conclude that salvation ultimately depends on your own righteousness or ability to endure to the end of your life. The first tense, being “justification” and “regeneration” happen at a point in time when one believes in Jesus for salvation, and this makes the second tense possible, of which one can become the kind of person God has called you to be, and it secures the third tense when the believer is resurrected and in the kingdom of God. The second tense does have an impact on the experience of the third tense, that is, what we do in this life that is of eternal value will carry over into that final tense of salvation.
A person is "saved" when they believe the promise of God of salvation through believing in Jesus for it.
This is the first tense of salvation. This salvation is "justification" and "regeneration."
There is another use of "save[d]" that it is used concerning those who are already believers and so it has to be used in another sense.
The second tense of salvation is with reference to the conduct expected in the life of the believer, a life transformed in alignment with God’s word. This kind of life is approved by God and useful--and fulfilling.
First Timothy 4.15-16 has Paul telling Timothy that by continuing in the doctrine, he will "save" himself and those that hear him.
James 1.21 says one is saved through receiving the implanted word (cp. 1 Pet2.1-2; 1.23-25). That implanted word is what saved one in the first tense, but needs renewed in the mind.
1 Timothy 2:15 speaks of a woman being saved through childbearing—is this the woman’s fulfillment through impacting her children spiritually?
1 Peter 1.9 speaks of receiving the end of faith, the salvation of souls. This could be the outcome on a believer who stays the course in persecution and the blessing and impact it brings.
Hebrews 7.25 says that Jesus can save to uttermost those who come to God through him. This is probably the enablement to stay the course under trials and difficulties and experience God's working and blessing in your life.
Matthew 16.24-26 has Jesus saying that whoever loses/ destroys his life for Christ's sake will find it, but if they seek to save it, they will lose/ destroy it. To truly save/ find your life is to lose/ destroy it for Christ’s sake. To save, find, or preserve your life is in sacrifice for the Lord.
There is a third tense of salvation which Scripture speaks concerning, and that is the final state of the believer in the resurrection and in the kingdom of God.
Luke 13.23-30: “Lord, are there few who are saved?” I believe the first and third tense are indicated in this text. The question looks to the third tense, while the answer concerns what one must do to get there. The kingdom of God is pictured as a city with a wall and gate. One must strive to enter that gate. That gate is described as narrow, and though many will seek to enter, only a few will manage to do so. The “many” here probably refer to those in Israel who did not believe in him during his earthly ministry. Matthew 8.11-12 speaks of the “sons of the kingdom” being cast out, and if this is “a Semitic expression for those who belong or by privilege should belong to the kingdom” (Gundry), then they are the many who seek to enter in contrast to the few who believed. But it could apply to all those who think they should enter by what they think qualifies them.
1 Peter1.3-5 speaks of the “salvation ready to be revealed.” This final tense/ aspect of our salvation will be affected by how we live now, our present tense of being saved through/ during this life of faith. In light of that approaching Day, we should live godly/ holy lives, see Hebrews 10.22-35, 35-39; 2Pet3.10-13.
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