In the previous Note in this series we considered Romans 3:23, and how that verse shows us that we have not one, but two, basic problems before God; first, that we have sinned, and second, that we have fallen short of His glory, which means we cannot fulfill the purpose He created us for, to become the many sons of God (Rom. 8:29-30; see “Our Two Basic Problems Before God & How He Deals With Them”).

If we are clear about this, along with the other basic principles of Biblical interpretation we have covered in this series—that divine truth is always two-sided; that the security of our salvation relates to eternity, while our reward or discipline relates only to the coming age, the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth; and that our initial salvation takes place in our human spirit (John 3:6), while the ongoing aspect, transformation, relates mainly to our soul (Rom 12:2)—then it becomes fairly easy to comprehend and properly interpret the verses in the New Testament that specifically tell us we are still in the process of being saved.

One very clear example of this is found just two chapters after Romans 3:23. After he has finished explaining justification by faith, Paul takes a turn in Romans to speak of the ongoing aspect of our salvation. He writes:

Much more then, having now been justified in His blood, shall we be saved through Him from the wrath; for if we, being enemies, were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved in His life.
— Romans 5:9-10

In these verses the apostle says we are already “justified in His blood,” but still goes on to say we must be “saved through Him from the wrath”; that we are already “reconciled to God through the death of His Son,” but even so, we still must go on to be “saved in His life.”

The salvation from “the wrath” in verse 9 is on the negative side, whereas to be “saved in His life,” the life of Christ, in verse 10 is on the positive side; that is what Paul goes on to cover in the next section of Romans. The result of this salvation in life is not forgiveness of sins; that has already been covered in Romans 3-5. Rather, it results in our being fully conformed to the image of Christ as the firstborn Son of God in glory as the many glorified sons of God (Rom. 8:29-30).

Do we really appreciate this? So many Christians today, it seems, are satisfied merely with the forgiveness of sins, and have no real concept of what Paul is talking about when he speaks of being “saved in His life.” They may say “the simple gospel is enough for me,” but as we saw in a recent Note, the apostle would beg to differ! (See “G.H. Pember: The Need to Leave ‘the Word of the Beginning.’”)

Such ones may expect that when we see Christ, we will instantly be transformed and conformed into His image. While there is some basis for that understanding (1 John 3:2; cf. 2 Cor. 3:18), as other portions of the New Testament make clear, that does not mean all our troubles will be over.

We can surely see this in these verses in Romans. The little word “for” at the beginning of Romans 5:10 clearly shows this verse is continuing the thought of verse 9. Thus, the extent to which we will be “saved through Him from the wrath” in the coming age, the 1,000 years, will be determined, it seems, by the extent to which we have been “saved in His life” in this age. And that will only be revealed when we finally stand before His judgment seat, to receive either “good or evil,” depending, not on the blood of Christ, but on what we ourselves “practiced” through our body in our living on the earth.

For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done through the body, according to what he has practiced, whether good or evil.
— 2 Corinthians 5:10

Yes, it is true, every believer will eventually be a glorified overcomer (Rev. 21:7), fully conformed to the image of Christ, the firstborn son of God. But the question is, when? If we overcome in this age, then the 1,000 years will be a time of blessing and reward for us (Rev. 20:4-6). But, if not, we will need to pass through some kind of discipline during that time, perhaps even experiencing something of “the wrath,” so we can finally be prepared to be with the Lord and reign with Him “throughout all the ages” of eternity (Rev. 22:5).

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— 2 May 2026 —