1 Corinthians 15:52

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Being human we go through time and in the process we undergo changes, some of them physical and some of them mental, Some of the changes we make are decisions on our part, while others are divine intervention. When we review the past, especially at an older age, memories of emotional moments are blurred by the physical degradation of the body. We may find our memories are not as clear or accurate as we would like.

My knowledge of God’s Word, my relationship with God, and what God has done for me is a spiritual journey and as such my failing memory cannot be trusted. 

Ephesians 1:4

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

We were chosen long before we were ever born. In God’s will we were always His. We aere destined for a life with Him that we have not yet discovered because sin is still present. When we are changed in that final delivery into the eternal realm, sin will be absent from our lives.

I look forward to that with the same faith that pulls me forward without knowing what tomorrow brings until God speaks. We live this life of faith because we are on a journey to our final destination and each step is one of uncertainty because we trust God.

My final question in all this is rhetorical in nature.

When we are delivered and we see Him face to face, what happens to faith?

Romans 6:12-14 English Standard Version

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

The second type of salvation is being saved from the power of sin over our lives. We no longer have to respond to sin’s temptations.

Romans 8:12-13 English Standard Version

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Having been given the Holy Spirit as a guide to righteous choices, we no longer have to respond to the flesh and can choose to believe the truth and live for Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

When we follow Jesus He leads us to victory over sin, the temptations of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

And there’s the rub, we must endure sin in the world because we are still flesh and bone.

Perhaps that has something to do with my confusion about when I was saved.