The process of salvation is a central theme in Christian theology, encompassing a series of interconnected steps that reflect the work of God in bringing individuals from a state of sin to eternal life with Him. Understanding the interconnectedness of these steps helps believers appreciate the comprehensive nature of God’s saving work. Here are the key components and their interconnections:

1. Election and Predestination

• Scripture References:
  • Ephesians 1:4-5: "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will."
  • Romans 8:29-30: "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son... And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified."
• Interconnection:
  • God's sovereign choice and predestination set the stage for the entire process of salvation, ensuring that those He has chosen will ultimately be saved. This is the foundation upon which the other steps are built.

2. Calling

• Scripture References:
  • 2 Timothy 1:9: "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace."
  • John 6:44: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them."
• Interconnection:
  • God’s call is the effective summons to salvation, drawing individuals to Himself. This calling is made effective by the Holy Spirit, leading to a response of faith.

3. Regeneration

• Scripture References:
  • John 3:3-5: "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again... unless they are born of water and the Spirit.'"
  • Titus 3:5: "He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."
• Interconnection:
  • Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit in giving new spiritual life to the believer, enabling them to respond to God’s call in faith and repentance.

4. Faith and Repentance

• Scripture References:
  • Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
  • Acts 2:38: "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
• Interconnection:
  • Faith and repentance are the human response to God’s call, made possible by regeneration. Faith involves trusting in Christ alone for salvation, while repentance involves turning away from sin.

5. Justification

• Scripture References:
  • Romans 5:1: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
  • Galatians 2:16: "Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ."
• Interconnection:
  • Justification is the act of God declaring a sinner righteous based on the righteousness of Christ, which is credited to them through faith. This legal declaration is the basis for peace with God.

6. Adoption

• Scripture References:
  • Galatians 4:4-5: "But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son... that we might receive adoption to sonship."
  • Romans 8:15-17: "The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"
• Interconnection:
  • Adoption follows justification and involves being brought into God’s family as His children, with all the rights and privileges that come with it.

7. Sanctification

• Scripture References:
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3: "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality."
  • 2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all... are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."   Note
• Interconnection:
  • Sanctification is the ongoing process of being made holy, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It involves the believer growing in righteousness and Christlikeness, reflecting their new status as justified and adopted children of God.

8. Perseverance

• Scripture References:
  • Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
  • Jude 1:24: "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy."
• Interconnection:
  • Perseverance is the continued faith and obedience of the believer, sustained by God’s power. It ensures that those who are truly saved will remain in the faith until the end.

9. Glorification

• Scripture References:
  • Romans 8:30: "And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified."
  • 1 Corinthians 15:52-53: "In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet... the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality."
• Interconnection:
  • Glorification is the final step in the process of salvation, where believers are fully conformed to the image of Christ, receiving resurrected bodies and entering into eternal life with God.

 The process of salvation is a beautifully interconnected work of God that spans from eternity past (election) to eternity future (glorification). Each step is crucial and interdependent, demonstrating God’s comprehensive plan to redeem, transform, and ultimately glorify His people. Understanding these steps helps believers grasp the full scope of what God has done, is doing, and will do to secure their salvation.