Articles
Works in Progress
The observation is sometimes heard: “I am a work in progress.” Aren’t we all? Acceptance of the gospel and obedience to Christ does produce a dramatic and significant change of relationship:
*We are “baptized into Christ,” thus “alive to God in Christ” – Rom 6:3, 11. There is no condemnation to those in Christ – Rom 8:1.
*We are “sons of God” – Gal 3:26-27; 1 Jn 3:2; Eph 2:19.
*We are translated from darkness into the kingdom – Col 1:13.
*We are washed, sanctified and justified – 1 Cor 6:11.
But as wonderful as this transformation is, it is not the end of a process but the beginning. While a new relationship with God is formed, full of benefits and joy, our character is not miraculously changed. The ruts of old habits remain, like the tracks of wagon trains still visible in the deserts of the west. New behaviors must carve their own grooves as we bring our lives into alignment with the will of God. Comfortable thought processes must be reprogrammed into attitudes and reasoning that comport with Christ. These things are not easy and do not happen overnight. When we dedicate ourselves to Christ, we should not expect a smooth path that always slopes gently downward.
The NT bears witness to this gradual development. For example, the Thessalonians had quickly excelled in the faith (cf. 1 Th 1:5-10) and abounded in love toward each other (4:9-10). Yet Paul fervently prayed “that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith” (3:10). In particular, Paul exhorted them to “abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (4:3-5). The transition from sexual permissiveness to moral rigor is not easy to navigate.
The Corinthians also show signs of this struggle. They are “the church of God which is in Corinth … sanctified in Christ Jesus … enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge” (1 Cor 1:2, 5). But they continue to battle the old habits and behaviors deeply etched into their collective psyche. As a whole the congregation was abiding the unconscionable: “A man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up and have not rather mourned” (5:1-2). Further, “Brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!” (6:6). Various other cultural hangovers are addressed by Paul in this highly confrontational epistle. Satan keeps challenging us with our own past, enticing us with desires and distractions that we conditioned our minds to when the will of God wasn’t a priority.
Yet even in flawed, weak and undeveloped saints, God is working to help us mature and bring us home to glory. Of the Philippians Paul was “confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (1:6). Later he affirmed, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (2:13). The Hebrews author, though concerned with the overall spiritual strength of his readers, nevertheless prayed, “May the God of peace … make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight” (13:20-21).
We are not alone in our endeavor to overcome the past, change our affections, learn new ways of approaching life situations. God is patient, understanding and forgiving. He does not toss us aside even when we face seasons of malaise and distraction. But one thing is vital on our part: We must never give up. “We are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul” (Heb 10:39). We tend to quit on ourselves before God does, but His patience is infinitely greater than ours. While this is not a license to sin, it is an assurance that He can and will fan the tepid embers of faith into a bright flame. 2018 will be full of opportunities to grow and mature. Are you ready to move forward?
