For many Christians today, I suspect, salvation is a matter of their past decision to believe in Christ as their Lord and Saviour. From then on probably many are having the idea that their salvation needs to be “maintained” or to be lived by. In other words, the matter of salvation for many is in past tense. However, for more matured believers, they would come to understand that they need to “work out their salvation with trembling and fear….” For this group, salvation is not only in past tense but also very much in present tense.
Nevertheless, it is very interesting to realize that the NT also speaks of salvation in future tense. 1 Pet 1:4-5 tells us, “… into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, who by God‘s power are protected through faith for A SALVATION READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME. In its context, Apostle Peter is telling the suffering 1st century Christians that their salvation will be “completed” as such at the 2nd coming of Christ. For the most part, the early Christians were looking forward to the last days/end times for their great salvation. In what seems quite contrary to contemporary Christian expectations that focus so much in the here and now, the NT actually teaches that our spiritual life and relationship with God is threefold: it is simultaneously in PAST TENSE, PRESENT TENSE and FUTURE TENSE. In fact, much of what the Apostles wrote (Paul, Peter and John) is regarding the future eschatological expectation. Paul can speak of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in believers’ life as “…a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance UNTIL the redemption of those who are God’s possession…” (Eph 1:14). Obviously for him, our redemption is also still in future tense. We were saved (by the sacrificial work of Christ), we are being saved (transformed into Christ-likeness by the Spirit/having the foretaste of the new creation) and we will be saved (resurrected into new bodies/perfectly restored into the image of God). Using a more theological term, this is called justification, sanctification and glorification.
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This inevitably brings us into the question is once saved always saved? Well, the phrase will only be true on that day, at the judgment seat of Christ. Once we have entered into his glory in the new heavens and the new earth then we can shout at the top of our voice that “once saved is forever saved.” But until then, let’s “make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:10-11).
Genuine faith in Christ not only perseveres but keeps looking forward to his return.
I subscribe to the context that we are saved, we are being saved, and we are going to be saved. Salvation, Justification, Sanctification and Glorification.
ReplyDeleteYet how many times have we heard the phrase "He is a Christian and still he behaves that way!" The Christian life is a process that starts the moment we are saved, Salvation and Justification occurs. Then Sanctification begins and ends with Glorification. But not many of even our church members would understand this concept, if it's not taught to them in a clear manner.
I believe if more of our members knew this, then there would be a a greater effort and direction in our Christian life.
I agree that salvation is not a one time gift to us. The apostle Paul states it clearly in his letter to the Philippians. Paul wrote this letter with much love to the saints at Philippi. His prayer for them is that their love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that they may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God (Phil. 1:9-11). Here it is clear Paul's hope for the saints at Philippi is not that they continue to preach the Gospel of Christ but in his prayer in that they may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ and be filled with the fruit if righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. Salvation or plain purification by the blood of Christ is no one time event but like you said it takes palce ofetn in a process. The receiving of salvation from Christ is meant to set an individual free from the bondage and trappings of the past life and bring him/her closer to becoming a new creation in Christ, no longer giving in to the cravings or appetites of the flesh or carnal nature but continually submitting himself/herself to the ways of God, doing what pleases God with the spirit of Christ in them. Every believer ought to work out their salvation an manner as Paul describes, "...with fear and trembling," (Phil.2:12) and not take their salvation in Christ lightly. This shows just how much is required of the believers then. How about us today? To date I've heard of countless testimonies from water baptism candidates but after a while they seem to, I observe, take their salvation lightly. It is as if Christ mean little to them. Gone are the days of frequent church attendance and participation in church activities. It is as if they decided to take water baptism just for the "thrill" of it. After all it is hassle-free ordinance. Little do they recognize just how much they have yet to do or the responsibility that comes after such baptism. Many today are living and sadly treating our Lord as if he is a "quick-fix" to the problems of life. The Sinner's Prayer seems to be like a charm or antidote from the curse of sin. After that the story takes a different turn. You have said that it is absurd for any person forgiven by God to live carelessly but then even Christians today seem at a lost on how to live in total obedience to God's ways, let alone learn of it from the Bible. We have in my opinion, zealous Christians, ready to serve in church when called upon or asked to, but gives plenty of excuses when it comes to Bible study or prayer meetings. This makes for an awkward kind of Christian which is zealous in good works but not rooted in the Word. This lives the church at the risk of having semi-fundamentalists, which emphasizes on the conformity to rituals but not fully understanding the meaning behind m,any of this rituals. We have many "pretenders" around. I have heard with my own ears of people complaining about Christians being hypocrites, and I am not at all surprised, because not many take the time to reflect on the teachings of Christ or the Bible for that matter. Christians are not at all perfect, and I agree to this, but we are to become more like Christ. We can, and I have said this in the past, to friends in church that we can live a life pleasing to God because the Holy Spirit resides in each one of us. His grace is sufficient for us not as such just to endure suffering but at the same time move us to think about the price of our salvation and we in turn cannot help but repent from our sinful ways because we have to know that we receive His grace and it comes with a price. It is not after all a "cheap" grace (if there is a cost attached to it). So, the process does not end until we meet him face to face but if we remain faithful then we might be commended by Him. This is my hope. I'm sure it is for all too.
ReplyDeleteYes Clement, I shared your concern for many of us in today's church that are eager for the "big and recognized" work or ministry in the local church but treat prayer and Bible study lightly. It is so strange for people to have that attitude when we remember that in the early days of Christian church that people rather not want to be leaders/ministers in the church because it will mean persecution or martyrdom for them. I figured many today not only were not thought that they need to count the cost to follow Christ but also think that discipleship is a kind of training rather than life-long commitment to follow Jesus, both in his teaching, commission and example of suffering (a subject that almost unheard of today). I guess this could be because too many Christians think of the gospel only as the category to tip them into salvation. After that then comes discipleship, ministry, leadership etc. On the contrary, we'll found that what God has done in Jesus Christ by His Spirit is not only the central theme of the Bible but also reiterated again and again in almost every book of the NT. It is really the all-embracing category that define Christian faith from first to last. All other categories of Christian living, theology, ministry, etc should be the reflection and the outworking of the gospel itself.
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