The Ordee of Salvation

Ordo Salutis (The Order of Salvation)

How God Saves Sinners by Sovereign Grace

The Ordo Salutis (Latin for "Order of Salvation") refers to the logical and theological sequence by which God applies the benefits of Christ’s redemption to individuals. Scripture reveals that salvation is entirely the work of God—from beginning to end. Man responds, but only because God first acts. Below is a step-by-step outline emphasizing God's initiative and man's dependent response.

1. Election – God Chooses by Grace

Before the foundation of the world, God graciously chose specific individuals to be saved—not based on foreseen merit, but according to His own will.

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world..."
— Ephesians 1:4

👉 God acts: God chooses
👉 Man’s role: None—this happens before birth, by grace alone.

2. Atonement – God Purchases in Christ

Through Christ’s sacrificial death, God paid the full price for the redemption of His elect. Atonement is the foundation for every other step in salvation.

"The Son of man came...to give his life a ransom for many."
— Matthew 20:28

👉 God acts: God purchases salvation in Christ
👉 Man’s role: None—this was accomplished at the cross

3. Outward Call – God Calls Through the Gospel

God issues a general call to all people through the preaching of the gospel. This is the external proclamation of salvation.

"How shall they hear without a preacher?"
— Romans 10:14

"Many are called, but few are chosen."
— Matthew 22:14

👉 God acts: God calls through gospel preaching
👉 Man’s role: Hears with physical ears, often without response

4. Inward Call – God Awakens the Heart

Through the Holy Spirit, God effectually calls the elect by awakening their dead spirits as they hear the gospel. This call brings life.

"But unto them which are called...Christ the power of God..."
— 1 Corinthians 1:24

👉 God acts: God effectually calls the sinner inwardly
👉 Man’s role: Passive—God initiates spiritual life

5. Regeneration – God Makes Alive

This is the new birth. Just as God spoke light into darkness at creation, He now speaks spiritual life into the soul. Without this, no one can respond in faith.

"You must be born again."
— John 3:7

"God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts..."
— 2 Corinthians 4:6

👉 God acts: God makes alive
👉 Man’s role: Passive—new birth precedes any response

6. Conversion – Man Repents and Believes

Conversion involves two inseparable responses: repentance (turning from sin) and faith (trusting in Christ). These are man’s actions, but made possible only by regeneration.

"As many as received him...to them gave he power to become the sons of God..."
— John 1:12–13

"Whosoever believeth...is born of God."
— 1 John 5:1 (present faith follows past regeneration)

👉 God acts: God enables repentance and faith
👉 Man responds: Man repents and believes

7. Justification – God Declares Man Righteous

God, as Judge, declares the believing sinner righteous. This is a legal act, based solely on the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer.

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God..."
— Romans 5:1

👉 God acts: God declares man righteous
👉 Man’s role: Trusts in Christ by faith (which God enables)

8. Adoption – God Takes Man as His Child

God not only justifies the believer but also brings him into His family as a beloved child.

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God..."
— 1 John 3:1

👉 God acts: God takes man as His child
👉 Man’s role: Receives this grace with assurance and access to the Father

9. Sanctification – God Purifies; Man Obeys

Sanctification is the lifelong process where God makes the believer more like Christ. Though God initiates and sustains it, man actively participates through obedience.

"This is the will of God, even your sanctification..."
— 1 Thessalonians 4:3

👉 God acts: God purifies
👉 Man responds: Man obeys and grows in holiness

10. Perseverance – God Preserves; Man Endures

God keeps His people secure in salvation. True believers endure to the end, not by their strength, but because God sustains them.

"He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it..."
— Philippians 1:6

👉 God acts: God preserves
👉 Man responds: Man endures in faith and obedience

11. Glorification – God Consummates Salvation

This is the final step where believers are made perfectly holy and receive glorified bodies. All that salvation anticipated is fully realized.

"Whom he justified, them he also glorified."
— Romans 8:30

👉 God acts: God consummates salvation
👉 Man’s role: Receives full redemption at Christ’s return

✅ Summary: God Is the Author and Finisher of Salvation

Step God's Role Man's Role
Election Chooses by grace None
Atonement Purchases in Christ None
Outward Call Calls through the gospel Hears externally
Inward Call Effectually awakens the heart Passive
Regeneration Imparts new life Passive
Conversion Enables response Repents and believes
Justification Declares righteous Believes (enabled by God)
Adoption Takes as His child Receives assurance
Sanctification Purifies Obeys
Perseverance Preserves Endures
Glorification Consummates Enters eternal glory

By Kenneth Malenge

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