Complete Salvation refers to the comprehensive work of God in delivering believers from the penalty, power, and presence of sin through the person and work of Jesus Christ. This concept encompasses justification, sanctification, and glorification, each representing a distinct aspect of the believer's salvation experience.

Justification

Justification is the initial act of God declaring a sinner righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. It is a legal declaration where the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace signifies the end of enmity between God and the believer, achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. Justification is instantaneous and marks the beginning of the believer's journey in salvation.

Sanctification

Sanctification is the ongoing process by which believers are made holy, being conformed to the image of Christ. It involves both a definitive aspect, where believers are set apart for God, and a progressive aspect, where they grow in holiness throughout their lives. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 emphasizes this process: "For it is God’s will that you should be sanctified: You should avoid sexual immorality; each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor." Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live in obedience to God's commands and to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Glorification

Glorification is the final stage of salvation, where believers are fully conformed to the image of Christ and are freed from the presence of sin. This occurs at the return of Christ when believers receive their resurrected bodies. Romans 8:30 provides a succinct summary: "And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." Glorification is the culmination of God's redemptive work, where believers will dwell eternally in the presence of God, free from sin and its effects.

The Role of Faith and Grace

Complete Salvation is rooted in the grace of God and accessed through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Salvation is not earned by human effort but is a gift from God, ensuring that all glory is directed to Him alone. Faith is the means by which believers receive this gift, trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

The Assurance of Salvation

Believers can have assurance of their complete salvation, as it is secured by the promises of God and the intercessory work of Christ. John 10:28-29 offers comfort: "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand." This assurance is not based on human merit but on the faithfulness of God, who preserves His people.

The Purpose of Salvation

The ultimate purpose of complete salvation is the glory of God and the restoration of a right relationship between God and humanity. Ephesians 1:11-12 explains, "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory." Salvation is not merely about individual redemption but is part of God's grand narrative of restoring all creation to Himself.

Complete Salvation is a multifaceted doctrine that highlights the depth and breadth of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ. It assures believers of their standing before God and calls them to live in the light of His grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit to reflect His holiness and love.