The marathon of a million steps
“The Christian life could better be described as an obstacle course of marathon length.” (Bridges - Trusting God, p. 186)
Salvation: You can’t just choose once
Once, in a moment of frustration and despair, a sibling of mine tearfully exclaimed, “It’s not fair! How come there’s always something I’m struggling with in life? It seems like as soon as I’m doing better with one thing, another pops up to take its place!”
Similarly, many times I’ve found myself bemoaning the fact that I can’t seem to just “choose once” to do right and be done with it. I’ve chosen to accept Christ’s offer of salvation—this is the “one-and-done” part (called justification). But still, I must keep choosing to trust him, each and every day, until my faith is made sight (the future phase of salvation, called glorification).
This “continuing to choose” is the present part of our salvation: sanctification, where we put faith into practice. Philippians 2:12 says, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Verse 13 goes on to say that this is God working in us to fulfill his good purpose (here’s a good resource on this passage).
Likewise, the famous verse in Romans 8 which speaks of God working all things for our good (v. 28) is followed by a verse which explains what that good purpose is: that we would be conformed to the image of Jesus (v. 29).
Faith and works
A lot of believers find a tension between “faith and works” in the New Testament. On the one hand, several verses insist faith is the only means of right standing with God (see Ephesians 2:8-9 as one example). On the other hand, we find James saying, “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26).
So how do these elements fit together? A simple way of thinking about this is that faith enables our access to justification, and obeying Christ is the present-day growth of sanctification (holiness).
Why does this theology matter?
Why does understanding this theology of salvation matter? Because it brings us clarity and strength for our daily lives!
- First, we find relief that our position is secure: we are adopted into God’s family, and he will not let us be snatched out of his hand (John 10:28).
- Second, we find our goal: to know God more deeply and reflect Christ more fully (Colossians 1:9-11).
- Third, we find our future hope: one day, we will be made perfect and dwell forever in God’s presence (Philippians 1:6).
This is what theologians call the “already but not yet.” We’ve been set free, but we must continue with perseverance in the battle until that final and glorious day arrives. (Yuan-Butterfield-Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, Location 1,256)
We are saved from the penalty of sin through justification, and we are being saved from the power of sin by sanctification. One day, we will be fully saved from the presence of sin when Christ returns! (For another great look at this, give this short post a read.)
Why bother battling sin?
It’s a fact that we will continue to struggle with sin until the day we die. But if our salvation is secure, and we have the promise of a future completely freed from sin, why bother battling sin in our present?
Well, the short answer is “because God said so!” (And he knows what’s best for us.)
He commands us to grow in godliness. Look at the passage in Galatians 5 that talks about the fruit of the Spirit. This passage starts with verse 13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Paul goes on to say that living by the Spirit actually changes our behavior. He lists very specific examples of old behaviors that should be replaced by new, godly ones.
We have to remember that God could’ve chosen to make us instantly perfect upon our moment of justification. He could’ve designed us so that we only had to choose once to trust him, and never struggle with doubt or pride again.
The fact that he didn’t means there must be something about the process of a progressive sanctification that’s worthwhile.
Relationships strengthened
Let’s think of a husband and wife. Can a man tell a woman he loves her only at the moment he proposes, and never say the words again? What about if he brings her flowers only once? She might eventually complain that he never says “I love you” or does anything to show his affection. If he protests, “But I did! I told you that years ago! And don’t you remember the flowers I bought you on our first anniversary?” we would all likely consider him a fool. Doesn’t he know that relationships are strengthened by continually reaffirmed commitments?
Just as our human relationships are strengthened by continual choices—to communicate, to serve, to sacrifice, and to praise—so also is our relationship with God.
Character strengthened
Let’s think of an expert: an artist, an athlete, a musician. This expert perfects her craft through countless hours of practice invested. When faced with choices between a momentary craving and what will serve the ultimate goal, she chooses what lasts. When we are inspired by an expert in their field, we are awed by their performance, but beyond that, we admire their dedication. (Paul writes about this in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27.)
God wants us to develop a strong character. A rock-solid, admirable character that performs under pressure is only developed through consistent, disciplined choices. Romans 5:1-5 lays out how we have hope because of our justification, and how we can rejoice even in suffering, because “we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
God’s glory strengthened
Ultimately, the “progressive” nature of our sanctification means we continually depend on God to enable us to fight sin. We learn to rely on him, draw from his strength, and praise him for the work that ultimately he is the one performing in our lives.
As we grow to be more like Christ, others notice. They are witnesses to the process and can see the change happening before their eyes. People begin to get curious and ask us what happened. Then we have opportunities to share about the One who made all this possible! Our testimonies of growth bring glory to God.
Hope in discouragement
Reflecting back on the despair in my sibling’s cry, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s own words. Eugene Peterson paraphrases this in a way that I believe communicates well the heart of Paul’s frustration and triumph:
I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
(Romans 7:24-25, MSG)
If even my own desires lead me to death (James 1:14–15), what hope is there? There is only hope in the one who transforms me, who gives me power over even my own desires. The answer is not to look within myself, but to look into the law of liberty, and persevere in acting (James 1:25). Persevere in choosing, persevere in doing good. And in doing good, I will be blessed.
Obedience is the evidence of my salvation. It is the actualization of my commitment. And obedience is simple. It is not easy, but it is simple.
Obedience is not flashy. It is not about mountain top experiences and huge sweeping promises in the middle of an emotional high. It is the daily dying. And the daily clinging to Christ.
We don’t fail unless we give up the fight. The beauty of this whole process of sanctification is that the continual choosing is what it looks like to walk in his victory! Tripping over my own feet, humbly coming back to God in repentance, and setting out on the straight and narrow path once again is the very means of my growth.
Remember the end of our salvation: that stage of glorification, when we will finally be united with Christ and our sanctification will be complete. He’s coming again, and when he does, all will be made right.
Until that day, we press on, surrounded by our faithful brothers and sisters for mutual encouragement along the way.
He is faithful, and he is worthy. Trust him!
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
— 2 Corinthians 3:18