Salvation – A Journey

Salvation – A Journey

“In Him was Life;
and the Life was the light of men”
John 1:4

Purpose and Life

The light we have is measured by the life of Him inspiring us with purpose and tenacity of spirit. It is in beholding Him and abiding in Him that we have this life. When one wanders from Him life and light will gradually fade into darkness and selfishness.

Salvation is a journey,
not a one-time event.

(Please read the related Post: Faith and the City of God)

Many speak of getting saved as a one-time event that occurred at a certain point in time, failing to realize that eternal life is not something one gets; it is something we hold by virtue of a relationship (John 15). Eternal Life is the very life of Jesus springing up within us. He who has the Son has Life; He who has not the Son has no life (1 John 5:12). A very simple statement but profound in its eternal implications. The Greek emphasis in this verse reveals the nature of its reality: the participle verb is present tense and continuous in its effecting. His Word to us is ever present tense – having – holding – abiding – whereby we experience the dynamic of a greater apprehension of His Life.

“he who is having the Son has life;
he who is not having the Son of God does not have life”
1 John 5:12 (LSV,YLT)

Eternal Life is not something we hope to get when we die; it is ours by having Him present tense in our life via relationship. It is here the true believer experiences a continual life of new beginnings. His word, His ways, and our seeing of Him are ever-increasing, calling us to deeper places of knowing Him. It is not a static religious concept; it is the way of His life within us.

The New Testament is filled with exhortations to “grow“, “to press towards the mark“, and to “let us go on” in our walk with Him. To many, the way becomes dreary and uneventful. But to those who hold His life dear within their hearts, our life here is but the womb of greater things. His Word tells of new songs being sung in the heavens. The Law of Life declares that new creations are by nature, moving into new things. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The New Song

“and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless”
Revelation 14:3-5

Not just anyone can sing this new song. It is a song reserved for those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes, free from the opinions and expectations of others to walk in a way that pleases Him. It is a song that only those who are free from speaking lies and are walking blamelessly before Him. Oh, may we see and comprehend that our walk here determines our abiding place there! The true things of God are not to be had by claiming promises; they are ours as we abide in Him.

“For all the promises of God IN Him are yea,
and IN HIM Amen”
2 Corinthians 1:20

(Continued from The Eternal Spring)

†

“To risk reputation and affection for the truth’s sake is so demanding that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral principle that only the Spirit of God can work in you. Do not turn your back like a coward, but play the man. Follow boldly in your Master’s steps, for He has made this rough journey before you. Better a brief warfare and eternal rest than false peace and everlasting torment.”
Alistair Begg

Brian Troxel