The Ways of God – The Process of Salvation (Part 2)
In our previous article on the process of salvation, we promised:
- To search out the matter further by considering the hearing, obedience, and work of faith particularly associated with God’s way for our salvation.
- To suggest several disciplines God has given us for striving and working out His related commands.
- To identify several action steps toward the successful navigation of this great adventure, particularly during this chaotic decade.
Let’s see where God and His word take us. Before we begin, I feel the need to warn and encourage you: faith and salvation are mysteries, meaning they challenge our understanding and our paradigms. God’s mysteries require focused attention, careful consideration, and effectual response.
Some may be wondering, “Why is it so important to search out this matter? Does God’s prescription for the hearing of faith, obedience to the faith, and the work of faith for salvation really matter? Can’t we just follow Jesus and the Holy Spirit into glory?” The answer to each of these questions – even the last one – is, “Yes.” However, knowing how to follow is critical. Indeed, there is something to be said for the searching.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2
Our journey to glory is helped and encouraged by our searching out the truth. Honestly, that is what we are trying to do in this study: share the truth that will make us free to run this race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2). We also hope – and this is important – that you use what you learn here to disciple others deeper into their salvation.
Not a Process Thinker?
It occurs to me that some readers may be thinking, “I am just not a process thinker. This process stuff does not apply to me.” If that describes you, please consider the following encouragement.
- While God is a process-oriented problem solver, He is not only process-oriented. He is other than any one of us, and we are all created in His image. He knows our frame (He created it), and He communes and communicates with us individually as He knows best.
- Thinking that is not bound by process is not bad thinking. God made us different to encourage us to be dependent on Him and each other. Those of us who are process-oriented are here to help when necessary (and we desperately need the help of others). We are the body of Christ, collectively.
- Understanding His ways is critically important. They are foundational to the normal Christian life, and they can be learned. Every one of us follows processes every day of our lives (e.g., cooking, shaving, getting dressed for work or workout, learning a new language).
- The structure provided by God’s ways provides order to His creation. His order supports the dynamic work He accomplishes through the vast variety of personalities that make up humankind and the choices we make individually and in community.
At times, my analytical bent leads to unnecessary complication. Please bear with me, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a clear understanding of the parts that encourage, edify, and equip you for the working out of your own salvation (Philippians 2:12). Faith and salvation are the substances of kingdom living, and well worth the investment.
A Second Dimension of Faith
Prior to this series of articles, we discovered there are singular occurrences of faith, grace, and good work – God’s way for faith – that may transpire in a moment (e.g., talk to that person in the checkout line), through a season (e.g., become a missionary to Africa), or in any timeframe in-between.
These regularly occurring, dynamic processes work together to mature us from faith to faith. For the sake of contrast, let’s call this the short dimension of God’s way for faith.
God’s way of faith for our salvation works in much the same way, but in a different time dimension. As we learned in Part 1 of this series, salvation is a process in which “we have been saved”, “we are being saved”, and we “shall be saved”. Most theologians identify these phases as justification, sanctification, and glorification.
Consequently, we are suggesting that God’s way for salvation requires a second, life-long process which must continue from justification to glorification – the process of faith for our salvation.
Before we move on to our main topic, it may interest and encourage you to know that God uses the singular occurrences of faith to encourage and facilitate our progress in the longer, faith-for-salvation process. Romans 1:16-17 speaks to this relationship.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Indeed, each of these dimensions of faith empower the other. We must learn and practice them both. Our most recent series of articles, beginning with The Mystery of Faith, help explain God’s way for faith and provide action steps for those seeking to enjoy God’s way for faith in the moments and seasons of their life (i.e. the short dimension).
The Hearing of Faith for Salvation
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
The hearing of faith for salvation has to be one of God’s greatest mysteries and gifts. How does someone with a stony heart and dead spirit (Ezekiel 36:26), without ears to hear and eyes to see (Matthew 13:13), and with a mind that cannot understand the gospel (1Corinthians 1:18-23) – actually a mind that is at enmity with Him (Romans 8:7) – hear the word of God that leads them to faith for salvation?
Truly, the hearing of faith for salvation is the first miracle – and God’s greatest mercy in a Christian’s life.
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44
And when He [Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin… John 16:8
Unless someone is drawn by the Father and convicted by the Holy Spirit, they will be eternally lost and condemned to hell. Rational and/or impassioned arguments avail nothing without the involvement of the Father and the Holy Spirit. This is not a small matter.
The charismatic evangelist may draw a crowd to themselves and their presentation of the gospel to no heavenly effect. Only those who speak as an oracle (i.e., mouthpiece) of God should speak at all (1Peter 4:11).
Conversely, personal charisma and well-constructed arguments are not required. Every Christian is a potential instrument of God for the word of faith that leads to salvation. Trust and obedience towards God, along with submission and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, are the critical success factors for sharing God’s word effectually.
So, what is the word of God we are commanded and enabled to share? What is the word for faith that enables salvation? Of course, the answer is, “The gospel.” Every Christian knows this. The problem we seem to have is our understanding of the full measure of the good news Jesus came to preach.
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15
We’ve written rather extensively about the gospel of the kingdom. Here’s a quick summary:
- The gospel of the kingdom is the good news of Jesus Christ’s right to reign over His people.
- Secondarily, the good news our King came to preach includes the benefits He offers to His subjects.
- Consequently, our salvation requires that we surrender our rights – all of them – to the King. He must be Lord if He is to be Savior.
Now, here we come to the most important point of this article: Our surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ is the first step in a process that must be followed through to the end. Read that again. Surrendering the reign of our lives begins the process of faith unto salvation; attempting to reclaim the throne – at any point in our lives – inhibits the process. Usurping Christ’s right to reign, once it has been given, shipwrecks our faith (Hebrews 6:4-6).
On a more positive note, the word of faith for salvation – the gospel of the kingdom – is near to you, for so is the kingdom of God.
But what does [the righteousness of faith] say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach) … Romans 10:8
And heal the sick there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Luke 10:9
Consequently, those who respond to the word of faith for salvation throughout the whole of their lives discover God’s way for expanding faith, grace, and good works. Our first step – the hearing of faith for salvation – becomes the path to the abundant and greater-than life (John 10:9-10, John 14:12).
So, how do we continuously hear the word of faith for our salvation? Asked another way, how does the gospel of the kingdom become a constant word in our lives?
The first and most obvious answer is: We pray… continuously.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18
We discipline ourselves to come before the King, beginning with the first-fruits of our day. All anyone really needs for motivation to get up early and spend time with God is an appreciation of His nature, His character, and His intention to make something of each and every day. Who in his right mind would choose otherwise?
There is simply no better thing to do first thing in the morning than to meet with God. Absolutely none of the best excuses stand up against this reality.
Secondly, once we are there, we should ask our King to command us. That’s right; we ask our King to tell us what He would have us do – in the moment and throughout the day. This may sound strange to you, but it is the most natural thing a citizen of the kingdom of God does each and every morning.
A dear friend of mine, the man God has used to disciple me for almost twenty years, put me on to this truth: Jesus’ commands activate our faith. Peter’s walk on the water provides the best example.
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Matthew 14:28
Peter desired to walk on the water to Jesus, but he knew (as we know now) that “anything done without faith is sin (reference).” Jesus’ command, “Come.”, activated Peter’s faith to step out of the boat and walk on water. God has placed a life-long desire (i.e., to hear His word for faith unto salvation) in our hearts, as well. And He waits for us to ask for His command.
Did you know there are nearly two-hundred commands of Jesus recorded in the New Testament? More than fifty can be found in the Sermon on the Mount. We do not lack for faith activating words from God. Those who study the Holy Bible prayerfully (i.e., in conversation with God), will continuously discover the rhema (right now, spoken) word of God for faith unto salvation.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 2:29
Lastly, Christians who desire to hear the word of faith for their salvation must overcome a deception that has plagued the Western church since the beginning of the Enlightenment (a humanism movement of the 17th and 18th centuries). Instigated by our carnal minds (collectively), and perpetuated by well-meaning but deceived teachers, most Christians now accept one of the most debilitating lies about our new nature in Christ:
We have come to believe that our hearts are still corrupt.
Thankfully, the Scriptures do not support such a belief.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10
Let me ask you: How does one believe unto righteousness with a corrupt heart? Thankfully, God has not left us in such an impossible state.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:26-27
Why would God give the children He loves a corrupt heart? Yes, until we are born again our hearts are wicked, evil, corrupt, and proud. But (and this is a big but), God trusts the heart of flesh He has placed in every born-again Christian to hold and express the faith He has given in the good news of His kingdom: He now reigns over our heart.
Now get this: Our carnal mind has been blame-shifting onto our hearts to avoid being discovered and defeated (we write about this extensively in An Enemy Lies Within). It is time we joined the Holy Spirit in His battle against our #1 enemy.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:17
Action Step: Search out this matter of the gospel of the kingdom. Meditate on the Scripture passages referenced above. Here are a few additional resources to help your search:
Humility and Absolute Surrender (combined book set)
Obedience to the Faith for Salvation
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… Hebrews 12:1
But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Matthew 24:13
The process of salvation requires more than hearing, and more than passive acquiescence and casual compliance. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines endurance (hypomonē) as “the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings”.
Hypomonē requires character transformation through and toward steadfast loyalty to our King. Again, this is a lifelong process dependent wholly on God and our participation in His work within us (Philippians 2:13). The working out of Philippians 2:122, the striving of Luke 13:23-24, and the diligence of 2Peter 1:5-11 mean something critically important. As does God’s call to repentance.
As we learned in our study on the process of faith, obedience to the faith requires that we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, reckon the truth of God to be truth for ourselves, and submit to the renewing of our mind by the Holy Spirit.
As we discovered with the hearing of faith for salvation, obedience to the faith for salvation is more than a single act (i.e., the raising of a hand, the saying of a prayer, or baptism). Enduring faith must lay hold of God’s grace for obedience to the faith for our salvation throughout the entirety of our lives. Our ongoing sacrifice, acceptance of the truth, and submission to the Holy Spirit increases as we are being saved.
If the hearing of faith is a matter of the heart, then obedience to the faith is very much a matter of the mind. Obedience to the faith for salvation requires a new worldview. We must change the way we think about God, the world, and our place in it. Our secular and humanistic perspective must be replaced by a heavenly one. As we learned previously, faith which comes from hearing the word of God finds residence in our hearts (Romans 10:10). From there, to be perfected, heart-resident faith must manifest in the work of faith (James 2:22).
We know from James 2:14-17, Matthew 7:24-25, and Matthew 25:37-40 (just to name a few) that the work of faith is real work; it involves the use of our body. To get from heart to body, faith must pass through our mind. This is where the process of faith for salvation often breaks down, because we have been trained, by the world, for much of our lives, to trust the reasoning of our carnal mind.
Mankind was not created to live by the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. In fact, God has forbidden it (Genesis 2:17). God intends for us to eat from the Tree of Life, that life being Christ. Our attempts to live from the wrong tree inhibits our ability to live the life for which we have been created and saved. Let that sink in for a moment and then marvel at the mystery:
But we have the mind of Christ. 1Corinthians 2:16b
In my humble opinion, every born-again believer has at least two minds: the carnal mind they were born with and the mind of Christ they received when they were born of God (1John 3:9). Throughout our existence, we choose which mind we will turn to for counsel and response to the word of God. The mind of Christ leads us, from the hearing of faith, through obedience to the faith, to the work of faith.
“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (and) bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2Corinthians 10:5)” is the critical discipline for this phase of the process. Those who practice in their quiet times with God, will find themselves better prepared during the busy-ness of their day.
Finally, it is important to point out that, as free-willed individuals, we are personally responsible for choosing which mind we turn to. And we must remember: While there are particular faith events that force this choice, obedience to the faith for salvation is a life-long endeavor, requiring continuous renewing of our minds.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Romans 12:16
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
John the Baptist, Jesus, and Peter, each one, encouraged their listeners to first repent. Now, repent does not mean “to be sorry for your sins”, or “to turn from your sins”, or the popular “do a 360”. Repentance enables these things, but it is not, first and foremost, changes in behavior.
To repent simply means “to change one’s mind”. Repentance invites the transforming work of the Holy Spirit by the renewing of our minds (2Corinthians 3:18). We participate in His work by reckoning the gospel of the kingdom (in its full meaning) to be true for ourselves and our fellowships. In this way, we are empowered – as living sacrifices – for obedience to the faith.
Action Step: Consider (another word for “reckon”) the meaning of “obedience to the faith” in your life. Does it include daily surrender to our King, Jesus Christ, and submission to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit? Set aside the time necessary for this act of obedience. Put it on your calendar. Protect it like the most important meeting of your day.
Thus prepared, we must then walk into the ongoing work of faith for our salvation.
Another Pause for Consideration
There is a lot to digest here. It’s meat, not milk. And it’s mystery, well worth our careful and prayerful consideration.
When we come back next week, we will continue our search into God’s way for salvation. In the meantime…
God bless you with overflowing joy and peace for the journey.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
#iamjustthepen