By Andrew Stoddard
“You are being saved” (1Corinthians 15:2).
It’s such a little phrase and, if we’re not careful, we can easily read right over it. Yet for Paul, this reality was important to note hand-in-hand with the verse that came after: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (v.3).
Many of us grew up in Christian traditions that emphasized a prayer of repentance which leads to immediate salvation and reconciliation with God. Praise God for that! There is much scriptural basis for this invitation (e.g., Romans 10:9). However, if we’re not careful to balance this beautiful exchange with Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians, we miss an important truth. We are being saved—currently, permanently, but also in-process. This does not negate the beautiful, mysterious transformation that happens the moment you enter into repentance in the name of Jesus for the first time, but rather it helps us grasp the manner in which Jesus is constantly interceding on our behalf and making us more like Him.
During the day in, day out grind, it’s easy to lean on that initial moment of repentance while overlooking the majestic exchange in which we’re currently participating. Perhaps that’s why Paul’s first words on the resurrection to the Corinthians are “Now I would remind you…” (1Corinthians 15:1, ESV). He knew then, exactly what we experience today: it’s easy to become complacent in our pursuit of the spiritual. Said another way, our spiritual memory is short, and our spiritual vision constantly needs to be refocused.
Have you ever bought a new car? Or a new-to-you car? There’s usually an excitement and happiness that comes on the heels of a purchase like that. But it doesn’t take long for the shiny, new feeling to wear off. Pretty soon, it’s just your daily ride, part of your routine. This sort of experience is really common for believers as well. The shiny, new feeling of salvation wears off, and we can start to lose focus, passion, and energy in our walk with God. I wonder if you’ve ever had a season like this. Maybe, you’re walking in one now.
Paul’s words to the Corinthian believers are relevant to us today. Though it’s easy to let your walk with God drift to the back burner when you lose passion about the newness of your salvation, we’re called to remember the newness of each and every day. Christ died for our sins long ago, but He is going about the work of saving you each and every day in 2024, 2025, and beyond! We are being saved, and with that confession, we can celebrate the newness and wonder of how we’re being redeemed and transformed each and every moment.
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