Middle Tense
Have y’all heard that (I guess for lack of better word in this moment) doctrine that says salvation is a three tense process?
I am saved from the penalty of sin at rebirth
I am being saved from the practice of sin today
I will yet be saved from the presence of sin in heaven
Matthew 6: 32 For the pagans eagerly pursue all these things; yet your Father in heaven knows that you need all these. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. source
Thirty two is the verse that started this!
I read this and said to me: pagans EAGERLY pursue food, drink, clothes (oh yes and houses and cars too); what do Christians EAGERLY pursue?
What do Christians EAGERLY pursue?
Is it not true we need food, drink, clothes (some of us need more fabric in those clothes – but I digress), shelter and transportation?
For sure we do! So how do we live these verses?
May I suggest we are assured in these verses if we EAGERLY pursue JESUS first while working for food, drink, clothing, shelter, transportation that HE will make sure we have all these things?!
And then I asked: What is GOD’s Kingdom? Click HERE for a very good answer.
If I do less than eagerly seek the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness am I not acting like an unbeliever, a pagan even?
Back to the beginning.
I’m saved from the penalty of sin. I’m being saved from the practice of sin. I shall yet be saved from the presence of sin.
And my conclusion is this: There is only one reason why I would not eagerly seek His Kingdom – unbelief. Am I a practice-er of unbelief?
Are you like me? Like very grateful?!
I have been saved from the penalty of unbelief.
I am in the process of being saved from the PRACTICE of unbelief.
I will yet be saved from the presence (and consequences) of unbelief.
I read it decades ago, I can see the page yet in my mind, I have long-lost the page but this I remember: Blaise Pascal was given the credit for having said (my paraphrase) Any portion of the Bible that I say I believe but I have yet been moved to obey it, I can rest assured I do not truly believe it.
Mark 9:24 (TLV) 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” source
Chazaq!
