This will come as a surprise to many Christians if I say that we do not have yet “salvation” even though we are “saved”. Some will regard this statement as quite offensive, but in truth, it is rather biblical. Biblical, I say, as the statement was formed as a conclusion from three verses – Romans 13:11, 1 Peter 1:5, and 2 Timothy 2:10.

In Romans 13:11, we find Paul still expecting to receive salvation since the day he became a believer. In 1 Peter 1:5, we see Peter expecting salvation to be revealed on the last day. And in 2 Timothy 2:10, we have Paul continuing to labor so that the chosen or the elect, of whom we assume are the saved, might obtain salvation. These two apostles are already saved people but they believe that salvation is yet to come.

Some may find this unacceptable but it is true that we, who believed in Jesus Christ, have not yet received salvation. Instead, we wait for it as inheritors of salvation (Hebrews 1:14). We have become inheritors because we have become heirs through God (Galatians 4:7) by virtue of us becoming children of God through faith (Galatians 3:26). Though we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:8), salvation is something we look forward to in the future (Romans 13:11, 1 Peter 1:5, Hebrews 1:14). Salvation is an inheritance that we, as inheritors, do own but still do not have.

Greek words to study:

• • sozo = save (to deliver or protect; keep safe and sound; to rescue from danger or destruction)
  • soterio = salvation (preservation; safety; deliverance from the molestation of enemies)

Jesus came to rescue us from darkness (John 12:46). Jesus came to save [sozo] us all (John 12:47). But salvation [soteria] is yet to be revealed on the last day (1 Peter 1:5). This period where we will be totally delivered from the harassment of the evil one will be at the end of this age. This is salvation [soteria] and is characterized briefly as new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).

Surprisingly, though we are saved by grace and not by our works (Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:8-9), we have to labor for our salvation — by working it out (Philippians 2:12), by pressing on to own it (Philippians 3:12), and by running the race with self-control to obtain it (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

Using Paul’s analogy of a race, salvation is the prize of the game (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). Being saved is the same as being listed among the runners because when one is saved, one is listed in the book of life (Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3). In Hebrews 12:1, the author is referring to believers as the runners. In other words, only those who are saved are entered into this race.

Running the race is considered endurance (Hebrews 12:1). We need to endure, or remain steadfast, to obtain the crown of life (James 1:12). We need to endure and conquer the trials in life so we can have our names continually written in the book of life (Revelation 3:5). If we fail to conquer and we succumb to sin, our names are eventually blotted out from the book (Exodus 32:33, Revelation 3:5).

Endurance is described as keeping the commandments of God and our faith in Jesus (Rev 14:12). Endurance is manifested if only we are subjected to suffering (Romans 5:3). If we hold true to our faith (1 Peter 1:7), we obtain salvation (1 Peter 1:9). Though it is faith that helps us overcome the world (1 John 5:4), a believer cannot be complacent because faith can be shaken (1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Peter 5:9). If faith cannot be shaken, then there is no need for Paul and Peter to advise Christians to stand firm in the faith.

We need to strengthen our faith by studying the word of God (Romans 10:17, Psalms 1:2-3). If we allow our faith to weaken, we shrink back or backslide (Hebrews 10:39); or we become lukewarm and get vomited or spat out by Jesus (Revelation 3:16). If we shrink back, Jesus doesn’t want to be with us anymore (Hebrews 10:38). Failure to endure will not get us saved (Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13).

To weaken our faith and cause us not to endure, Satan will try to take away the word of God from our hearts (Luke 8:11). The word of God is important because it results in faith (Romans 10:17). If we hold on to faith and are able to endure (1 John 5:4), we will be allowed to reign with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12). But to those who only have faith but do not endure (or have works), they are not worthy of Christ (James 2:24). We are to be like Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) who originated the faith and perfected it through endurance (Hebrews 12:2).

We are all sinners (Romans 3:23). We are all slaves to sin (John 8:34) and are under the law (1 Corinthians 15:56). But God sent Jesus to redeem us from the law and to make us His adopted children (Galatians 4:4-5). And as children, we have become heirs. We now have an inheritance (Galatians 4:7). And God gave us the Spirit to be the guarantee or down payment of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).

What do we inherit? Aside from salvation (Hebrews 1:14), we also read of other verses of what we are to inherit:

1. kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Matthew 25:34)
2. eternal life (Matthew 19:29)
3. earth (Matthew 5:5)
4. the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2,7)

All these four inheritances are considered future promises. As salvation is to be revealed in the last time, these four inheritances would be what we describe as, or would point to, “salvation”.