The Helmet

And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION
As believers we are saved from the penalty of sin, the power of sin and ultimately from the very presence of sin.
The first stage of salvation is called justification, salvation from the penalty of sin. Justification is an instantaneous, past act of God by which one is saved from the guilt of sin- his record is cleared and he is guiltless before the judge. [1] We can see this in Romans 8:1. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. In other words we are freed from our past. This is also the basis by which God can have fellowship with us.
The second stage of salvation is called sanctification, salvation form the power of sin. Unlike justification, sanctification is not an act of God declaring us righteous; rather, it is a continual process in the present by which God is making us righteous. [2]
Because of sanctification it is no longer necessary that we sin. Before salvation we did not have a choice as to whether or not we sinned. After salvation we can choose to submit to God and allow him to change us or we can choose to submit to the old sin nature and return to what we once were. If we choose the old sin nature then our fellowship with God is broken. We utilize 1 john 1:9 to return to fellowship. If we choose not to return to fellowship then we fall under divine discipline.
The third stage of salvation is called glorification. Unlike justification (which saved us from the past penalty of sin) and sanctification (which is saving us from the present power of sin) glorification is the future act that will save us from the very presence of sin.[3] This can be seen in Revelation 21:1-4.

[1] Dr. Norman Geisler, Systematic Theology Volume Three p 235.
[2] Dr. Norman Geisler, Systematic Theology Volume Three p 237.
[3] Dr. Norman Geisler, Systematic Theology Volume Three p 241.