The Ordo Salutis: Understanding God's Gracious Plan of Salvation
The theological concept known as the Ordo Salutis, or "The Order of Salvation," seeks to delineate the logical and sequential steps by which God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, applies the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ to the lives of individual believers. It is not necessarily a temporal sequence, where one event finishes before the next begins, but rather a logical progression of God's saving acts, highlighting His sovereign grace from eternity past to eternity future. Understanding this divine order helps us to appreciate the depth of God's love, the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. This article will explore the key components of the Ordo Salutis as revealed in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
I. Predestination and Election
The foundation of the Ordo Salutis lies in God's eternal decree. Before the foundation of the world, God, in His sovereign will, chose a people for Himself, not based on any foreseen merit in them, but according to His own good pleasure and purpose. This is the doctrine of predestination and election.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
This divine choice is unconditional and serves as the ultimate source of all subsequent saving benefits. It assures us that salvation originates entirely with God.
II. The Effectual Calling
While the gospel call goes out universally (the external call), God's effectual or internal call is directed specifically to the elect. This is the Holy Spirit's irresistible work of drawing individuals to Christ, opening their hearts and minds to receive the truth of the gospel. This call is powerful and efficacious, guaranteeing a response.
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This effectual call is what brings the chosen sinner out of spiritual death into spiritual life.
III. Regeneration (Being Born Again)
Regeneration is the instantaneous, supernatural act of God's Spirit by which a spiritually dead person is made spiritually alive. It is a new birth, a radical transformation of the inner man, giving a new nature and a new heart that is inclined towards God. This is not something a person does, but something God does to them.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Regeneration precedes faith, as a dead person cannot believe; they must first be given life.
IV. Conversion (Faith and Repentance)
Conversion is the human response to God's effectual call and the work of regeneration. It comprises two inseparable elements: faith and repentance.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Faith and repentance are gifts from God, enabled by the Holy Spirit, and are the means through which we lay hold of Christ.
V. Justification
Justification is God's legal declaration that a sinner is righteous in His sight. This declaration is based solely on the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, received by faith alone. It is not that God makes us righteous, but that He declares us righteous, absolving us from the guilt and penalty of sin.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
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.
Justification provides peace with God and access to His grace.
VI. Adoption
Concurrent with justification, or immediately following, is the glorious privilege of adoption. Through adoption, believers are brought into God's family, receiving the full rights, privileges, and inheritance of children of God. This status is far more intimate than merely being forgiven; it signifies a new relationship with God as our Father.
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
This assures us of God's paternal care and our eternal inheritance.
VII. Sanctification
Sanctification is the progressive, lifelong process by which believers are made more and more like Christ. It is the Holy Spirit's work of setting us apart for God's purposes and transforming our character, enabling us to grow in holiness and obedience. Unlike justification, which is a once-for-all declaration, sanctification is a continuous work.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Sanctification involves both divine enablement and human effort, as believers actively participate by yielding to the Spirit and obeying God's Word.
VIII. Perseverance of the Saints
The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints teaches that all those who are truly justified and sanctified by God's grace will persevere in faith to the end and will certainly be glorified. This is not based on human strength or merit but on God's faithfulness and His preserving power.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God keeps His elect secure in Christ until the final day.
IX. Glorification
Glorification is the final and consummating step in the Ordo Salutis. It occurs at the return of Christ, when believers' bodies will be resurrected and transformed into immortal, incorruptible, and glorious bodies, perfectly suited for eternal life with God. At this point, sin's presence and power are entirely removed, and believers are fully conformed to the image of Christ, both in body and soul.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
This is the ultimate realization of God's saving purpose, where believers will dwell in perfect fellowship with Him forever.
Conclusion
The Ordo Salutis is a profound theological framework that beautifully illustrates the seamless and sovereign work of God in salvation. From His eternal choice to our final glorification, every step is initiated, sustained, and brought to completion by God's grace through Christ Jesus, applied by the Holy Spirit. It assures us that salvation is entirely of the Lord, giving all glory to Him. Understanding this divine order fills the believer with humility, gratitude, and an unwavering confidence in God's unfailing love and power to save completely. It is a testament to the fact that "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD." (Psalms 3:8)