Salvation is often understood to have three phases (or aspects): past, present, and future.
I believe all three are represented in First Peter chapter One.
1 Peter1.3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
( verse 4) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
(verse 5) who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
(verse 6) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
(verse 7) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
(verse 8) whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
(verse 9) receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:3-9
The first phase is in being “begotten again,” also known as being "born again" or "regeneration," and the final phase is that "salvation ready to be revealed in the last time"--which is at the "revelation" (Coming) of Christ, involving the catching up-of living believers ( the "rapture" ) and the resurrection of believers who have died.
I believe the references to being "kept by the power of God through faith" and having an approved faith ("genuiness" in verse 7) correspond to the present phase of salvation. An approved faith in trials is the “salvation of your souls” which is the “end” (aim or goal) of faith in verse 9. I will explain how the "end of your faith" and "salvation of your souls" is phase 2 later.
Verse 3 speaks of the new birth, saying "begotten again” using the Greek "anagennao": “ana” is "again" and “gennao” is "begotten"--it's not the same Greek word that Jesus used in John 3:3 speaking to Nicodemus, being 2 words in the Greek: "anothen" is translated "again," but can mean "from above," and "gennao" translated "born," and so they are translated "born again" but could be "born from above." This new birth is from God, by the Holy Spirit.
This new birth is to a "living hope." This hope is the inheritance of verse 4. This hope and inheritance are phase 3 of salvation. The new birth is phase one and makes phase three possible and certain. Phase three is our inheritance, and unlike earthly inheritances, this one cannot deteriorate over time, as it is said to be "incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away."
There is a future inheritance that all believers have that is a sure-future-thing/ expectation which is a resurrected life with God in the kingdom of God in the new creation of heaven and earth. Second Peter says, "...we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." 2 Peter 3.13
Peter says this is "through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." The resurrection of Christ is vindication of who Christ was, of what he said, and of what he accomplished on the cross-concerning sin and its penalty; and the resurrection is the guarantee of the believer's future resurrection and life with God in the new creation.
The first and third phases of salvation impact the second phase, for the first provides enablement by that *new "spirit" which the new birth creates in the believer, and the prospect of the third phase gives motivation to live godly lives (see 2 Peter 3.10-13). The third phase will be impacted by phase two, because how the believer lives his life now will impact his experience in his inheritance. *"...that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:6 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you Ezekiel." 36:26
Verse 5 says the believer is "kept by the power of God through faith for salvation to be revealed."
In the present phase, this being kept by God involves faith. I don’t think this is talking about eternal security or “perseverance of the saints.” I don't believe this is saying that security of salvation depends on continuing in the faith or that it is saying that God is securing the believer during his life identified as one of faith (I use to take this view, so that eternal security was not dependent on my ability to continue in the faith--it may not be clear to those who don't understand the issues concerning eternal security and the terms of eternal life from a non-Calvinist perspective). I believe this has to do with God keeping the believer from falling or failing--which is always a potential thing. God wants us to continue faithfully until the coming of Christ, and He is able to keep us from falling, but we must continue in the faith. Failing or falling is not about losing one's salvation but becoming disqualified in service to God.
The ability of God to keep us is by means of faith. God can keep us from falling, but we must continue by faith in him—this is a matter of trust during the difficulties, trials, and temptations of life, which Peter addresses in the text of verses 6 and 7.
The genuineness of faith here is not about whether you are really saved or not, but about an approved faith--one that is tested and endures in trials.
But what exactly is this approved faith? Will God provide everything? Or is it one that depends on God, resulting in a right character? He will provide what you really need—strength or courage in the difficulty.
Such a faith will impact your life now and have praise at the coming of Christ.
In this way, an approved faith is more precious than gold. Just as the inheritance does not fade away, the outcome of an approved faith will in some way impact that future inheritance, such as in rewards.
Verse 9 speaks of the "end" of faith, which I believe is the "aim" or "goal" of faith, and that is the “salvation of your souls.” Here I believe this salvation is the phase two but will carry over to phase three where it will get recognition at the Coming of Christ.
Phase two is salvation of the soul in that you have a life that was not wasted, one that had an enduring, approved faith revealed in your conduct. This is a fulfilled life in service to God.
This is that purpose as God’s people as his “elect”--I understand "election" as being about service to God: we are his elect; we are his servants--just like Israel was called God's elect and his servants. God is able to see us through, if we continue in the faith, steadfast. God is able to give grace (help) in time of need to have that conduct which is becoming a servant of God (and a child of God--which we are by that new birth).
Consider what Jude 24 says: "he is able [dunamis-power, as in 1 Peter 1.5] to keep us from stumbling [falling] and present us faultless before his presence in glory [the "revelation" of Christ] with joy.
Both Peter and Jude speak of a keeping, though Peter and Jude use different Greek words. I would suggest that both words speak of a “how it's done”--to present you faultless at the Coming of Christ.
One keeping is through faith and the other is from stumbling or failure. They speak of the same thing, the one is what is needed, and the other what shouldn’t happen. The realization of this is in the third aspect—the “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Again, salvation has 3 aspects...
Verses 3 and 4 have the first aspect in view, being the new birth, and the third aspect, being the future hope and inheritance in the kingdom.
Verse 5, I believe, isn’t about eternal security in one way or another, but the second aspect of salvation, being a walk becoming a believer by the power of God through faith, and with view to its final realization at the revelation of Christ.
Here’s why…it speaks of God’s ability (power: dunamis) to keep (guard) through faith. This statement is synergistic (a working together). God is able to keep us but through faith. This relates to the believer’s perseverance in trust and obedience to God, particularly during life’s various trials (verse 6)—and it's not just about persecution.
The keeping through faith speaks of being guarded by faith, one that trusts God that he will give you the strength and comfort you need to keep you from failing.
Verse 6 speaks of “various trials.” More than persecution is in view. Life comes with trials. The believer’s life is one of great expectation, and yet there can be the grief of life’s difficulties.
“A little while” may recognize that they are temporary, and “if need be” meaning “if necessary” as in the inescapable consequence of being faithful, though it could be for your benefit.
The words “genuineness” and “testing” come from the same Greek words in verse 7. The word “proved” could be used in both places: Your faith is proved by “fire” (trials) and found proven or approved.
What does this mean? What is really motivating you? Are you really trusting God to provide what you really need? How one responds in difficulty is evidence of an approved faith.
This faith that is approved is more precious than gold because it carries into the final aspect of salvation—may be found to praise, honor and glory. Gold will perish—and you can’t take it with you, but an approved faith has recognition at the Revelation of Christ.
Verse 8 reminds the believer that you love Him whom you haven’t seen. And even though he hasn’t been seen, through believing, there is an unspeakable joy and glory (magnifying of God). I believe this is when persevering through trials.
Godliness is responding to trials with conduct that is becoming a Christian. This requires persevering faith.
A faith that perseveres in right conduct during a trial will result in verse 9’s “salvation of your soul.” This is a phase 2 aspect of salvation. The soul here speaks of your life/ self, and its salvation speaks of the effect on you by a faith that perseveres in obedience. It affects your life now, but also has a realization at the Revelation of Christ (phase 3).
The unspeakable joy and glorying of God is in this salvation in which your life has a sense of accomplishment for God--a life not wasted.
Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24-27: "24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." Matthew 16:24-27
The word "soul" and "life" here are the same Greek word ("psuche"). Consider that whoever “loses his soul/ life for Christ’s sake will find it.” That is, his life is not wasted but is approved and will be to the praise of God at his coming: "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."
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