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Glorification and the Completion of Salvation
Contending for the Word Q&A
Hosted by Dave Jenkins
In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains glorification, the final stage of salvation in which believers will be completely freed from sin and perfectly conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. He also considers how the promise of future glory strengthens Christians amid suffering, temptation, and the ongoing battle with sin.
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Glorification Completes God’s Saving Work
God’s purpose for His people is not limited to forgiveness or even their present growth in holiness. Everyone whom God justifies will ultimately be glorified. Glorification is the completion of the saving work God began at conversion.
Believers have been justified, they are being sanctified, and one day they will be glorified. On that day, they will be completely freed from the presence of sin and perfectly conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
Freedom from the Presence of Sin
Every Christian knows the continuing struggle with temptation, weakness, and failure. Although believers have been delivered from sin’s dominion, they have not yet been removed from its presence.
Glorification assures Christians that this battle will not continue forever. God will completely and permanently free His people from sin. They will no longer face temptation, corruption, or failure.
Perfectly Conformed to Christ
The goal of God’s saving work has always been to conform His people to the image of His Son. This does not mean that believers become divine. It means that redeemed humanity will perfectly reflect the holy character of Jesus Christ.
First John 3:2 promises that when Christ appears, believers will be like Him because they will see Him as He is. God’s work of transformation will then be complete.
Future Glory Strengthens Present Faithfulness
Glorification is not merely a doctrine about the distant future. It shapes how Christians live today. It reminds believers that suffering, temptation, and the brokenness of this world are temporary.
The Christian story does not end with struggle or suffering. It ends in glory because the God who saves His people will also perfect them. This hope encourages Christians to persevere, pursue holiness, and remain faithful to Christ.
In This Episode
- The biblical meaning of glorification
- The relationship between justification, sanctification, and glorification
- Complete freedom from the presence of sin
- Perfect conformity to the image of Christ
- The hope of believers amid suffering
- Living faithfully in light of future glory
Scripture Discussed
- Romans 8:18–30
- 1 Corinthians 15:42–49
- Philippians 3:20–21
- 1 John 3:2–3
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Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
