Christian Salvation: Understanding the 7 Basic Attributes

Redemption: The Divine Purchase

Redemption is the foundational attribute of Christian salvation. It involves the act of God reclaiming a human soul from the dominion of sin and Satan, a purchase made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This concept is rooted in the biblical passage Ephesians 1:5, where it is stated that God predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ. This spiritual transaction marks the believer's transition from the ownership of sin to the loving dominion of God.

Key Points of Redemption:

• Spiritual Ownership: Initially created by God, humans became estranged through sin but are reclaimed through Christ's sacrifice.
• Adoption into God's Family: Believers are not just purchased; they are adopted into God's family, highlighting a relationship restored.

Remission: Total Forgiveness

Remission refers to the complete forgiveness of all sins—past, present, and future. This attribute ensures that once a person is under God's ownership, their sins are entirely forgiven. Remission is critical because it clears the path for a renewed relationship with God, free from the barriers of past transgressions.

Understanding Remission:

• Comprehensive Forgiveness: Covers all sins irrespective of their time of commission.
• Foundation for Spiritual Growth: By removing the guilt of sin, remission allows believers to grow in their faith without the burden of past mistakes.

Justification: Declared Righteous

Justification is often seen as a legal declaration where God pronounces a believer righteous. This attribute follows remission and involves the removal of all evidence of sin, allowing the believer to be seen as innocent. Romans 3:24 discusses being justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Aspects of Justification:

• Legal Acquittal: God declares the believer not guilty of sin.
• Based on Christ's Sacrifice: The basis of this declaration is the sacrificial blood of Jesus, which erases the evidence of sin.

Regeneration: Spiritual Rebirth

Regeneration is the profound transformation of a believer's nature from sinful to divine. This change is synonymous with being "born again," a term that signifies the spiritual rebirth of an individual. John 3:3 emphasizes the necessity of being born again to see the kingdom of God.

Elements of Regeneration:

• Nature Transformation: A change from a sinful nature to a divine nature.
• Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit resides in the believer, continually fostering this new divine nature.

Reconciliation: Restored Relationship

Reconciliation involves restoring the broken relationship between God and humanity. This attribute of salvation is about establishing peace where there was once enmity, as highlighted in Romans 5:10, which speaks of being reconciled to God through the death of His Son.

Features of Reconciliation:

• Peace with God: The ultimate goal of reconciliation is peace between the believer and God.
• Restoration of Fellowship: It allows for a renewed fellowship with God, free from the barriers of sin.

Sanctification: Holiness in Living

Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ in character and action. It involves a daily commitment to living according to God's will and resisting worldly temptations. This attribute is crucial for spiritual growth and maturity, as it involves actively choosing to live a holy and separated life.

Process of Sanctification:

• Daily Transformation: Continual growth in holiness through everyday decisions.
• Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: Believers are empowered to overcome sin and live righteously.

Glorification: Ultimate Transformation

Glorification is the culmination of the salvation process, where the believer's nature is fully transformed to reflect the glory of God. This attribute will be fully realized in heaven but begins on earth as believers live out their faith. Matthew 5:16 talks about letting one's light shine before others, reflecting God's glory through good works.

Stages of Glorification:

• Earthly Reflection: Believers reflect God's glory through their lives on earth.
• Heavenly Realization: In heaven, believers will experience the fullness of glorification, shining with varying degrees of glory based on their earthly faithfulness.

These seven attributes of salvation outline a comprehensive framework for understanding the transformative journey of a Christian believer. Each attribute interlinks to form a complete picture of the salvation experience, leading to an eternal relationship with God.