By R. A. Torrey
The salvation which is given to the elect in Jesus Christ is designed to deliver the soul from the penalty, power, and pollution of sin.
First, there is salvation from the guilt of sin. This we get through the atoning death of Christ on the cross.
When Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary, He made a perfect atonement for our sins and put them away forever.
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” (Gal. 3:13).
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21).
“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:12-14).
The moment we accept Him, that moment we are saved from the guilt of sin. Every sin is blotted out. It is just as if we had never sinned. Our standing before God is perfect. We are justified in His sight.
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39).
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21).
Second, there is salvation from the power of sin. Jesus Christ, having risen from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father, ever lives to make intercession for us and is able to save not merely from the uttermost but “to the uttermost” those who come to God by Him.
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).
By His resurrection power in our lives He gives us day-by-day victory over the power of temptation and sin. Having been reconciled to God by His death, now being reconciled we are saved day by day from the power of sin by His life—that is, by His resurrection life.
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom. 5:10).
Third, the risen Christ imparts to us His Holy Spirit; and what we cannot do in our own strength, namely, overcome sin, the Spirit of God whom the risen Christ gives to dwell in us accomplishes for us.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1-4).
Fourth, surrender your whole life to the control of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to fill you and take possession of all your desires, all your purposes, all your plans and all your thoughts. He will do it. He will bear His own fruit in your life— “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek[1]ness, temperance”.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23).
If we “walk in the Spirit”—that is, submit our whole life to His control—we “shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh”.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).
Fifth, salvation from the very presence of sin. This we obtain through Christ’s coming again. This we shall enjoy when He does come again and when we are made perfectly like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).