The Golden Chain of Salvation

Various Authors

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
 

1. ELECTION (In eternity past.)

Ephesians 1:4-5, "… He CHOSE us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He PREDESTINED us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will."

The Father's eternal decree is the foundation--without election, no one would be effectually called.
 

2. EFFECTUAL CALLING (In time.)

Romans 8:30, "And those whom He predestined He also CALLED, and those whom He called He also justified…"

Through the outward gospel proclamation, the Spirit makes the call inwardly effectual, summoning the elect to Christ.

This is where the decree of God begins to be applied in the life of the chosen sinner.
 

3. REGENERATION (New Birth.)

John 3:5-7, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be BORN AGAIN.'"

The Spirit, through the call, gives new life. This is the new heart promised in Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Effectual calling and regeneration are intimately connected; the call is the summons, regeneration is the granting of life that makes response possible.
 

4. CONVERSION (Faith and Repentance.)

FAITH, Philippians 1:29, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ, you should not only BELIEVE in Him, but also suffer for His sake."

Faith is a gift, granted by God as a fruit of regeneration.

REPENTANCE, Acts 11:18, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted REPENTANCE that leads to life."

Repentance, like faith, is granted by God and flows from the Spirit's work.

Together, faith and repentance are man's first conscious acts, in response to the Spirit's effectual call and regenerating power.
 

5. JUSTIFICATION

Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been JUSTIFIED by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Justification is a judicial act of God, by which He declares every true believer to be perfectly righteous and acceptable to Him, solely on the basis of Christ's spotless righteousness imputed to the believer.
 

6. ADOPTION

Romans 8:15, "You have received the Spirit of ADOPTION as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"

The Spirit not only gives life, but seals our status as adopted sons and daughters of God.
 

7. SANCTIFICATION

2 Thessalonians 2:13, "…God chose you as the first-fruits to be saved, through SANCTIFICATION by the Spirit and belief in the truth."

The Spirit who calls and regenerates, also progressively makes the believer holy, conforming him to Christ's image.
 

8. PERSEVERANCE & PRESERVATION

Hebrews 10:36, "You need to PERSEVERE, so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."

Philippians 1:6, "He who began a good work in you, will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Jude 24, "To Him who is able to KEEP you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy"

The Spirit's initial effectual call, guarantees the believer's ongoing preservation.
 

9. GLORIFICATION (In eternity future.)

Romans 8:30, "… those whom He justified, He also GLORIFIED."
 

The golden chain of salvation ends with the believer fully conformed to the image of Christ in resurrection glory.

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Today's choice AI resource: Salvation by moralism