Truth Process Session IV, Lesson 2

Truth Process Session IV, Lesson 2

Our discussion this week reminds us that there is much yet to be done after we are saved, and there are some significant obstacles which get in the way.

God’s word states the following:
Phil 2:12-13
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

An exploration of the meaning of the words “work out” led us to the realization that Paul was talking about doing work fully, i.e. accomplish; by implication, to finish. This does not mean that some aspect of our salvation is left undone – one’s salvation is a finished work. What it does mean is that once saved, our lives should be characterized by continuous spiritual growth and development. Salvation is a gift received once for all – and it expresses itself in an ongoing process in which the believer is strenuously involved.

Scripture is full of language which alludes to the strenuous nature of the Christian walk. For example:
1 Cor 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Although I realize that not everyone can relate to examples from the world of athletics, I think Paul paints a vivid picture here. He writes: “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” What would this mean to a competitive athlete? What does this mean to the “spiritual athlete” intent on working out his or her salvation?

The competitive athlete marks the race on her calendar. (April 1st – RACE DAY!)
The spiritual athlete realizes that EVERY DAY IS RACE DAY!

The competitive athlete takes time for training, understanding that discipline and hard work are necessary to run the race in such a way as to win the prize.
The spiritual athlete does the same.

The competitive athlete trains for the race, pushing himself to get stronger and faster.
The spiritual athlete trains himself in the word of God and spends regular and frequent time in prayer, allowing the Spirit to make him stronger.

On game day, the competitive athlete is not merely content to be in the race, but runs in such a way as to win the prize.
The spiritual athlete does the same.

Sound like a lot of hard work, discipline, and perseverance? That’s because it is! But we need to be careful here. Although we are called to this life of strenuous involvement in the process of spiritual growth and maturation, it is NOT something we can do through sheer personal discipline and the application of our God-given skills and abilities. JUST AS JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF OUR RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, HE IS ALSO THE SOURCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

Heb 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

Christ is not only the author of our faith, but also the perfecter – the completer, the consummator, the one who enables us to grow strong and deep in our faith, empowered to run the race we are called to run.

Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that we must make Christ the focus of our lives. As Kevin observed in the course of our class discussion, it takes strenuous effort to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus because our lives are full of distractions of all kinds. So, how can we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and work out our salvation? Hebrews 12:1 offers some help:

Heb 12:1
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

Matthew Henry’s commentary provides profound insight into this verse. First, we are to “lay aside every weight.” This refers to “all inordinate affection and concern for the body, and the present life and world. Inordinate care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a dead weight upon the soul that pulls it down when it should ascend upwards, and pulls it back when it should press forward; it makes duty and difficulties harder and heavier than they would be.”

I wonder if the failure of the church to influence the culture as it should is related to the reality that too few of us are “working out our salvation”. And I wonder if we fail to work out our salvation because we carry so much “dead weight upon the soul” – a result of excessive care and fondness for this present life. When I examine my own heart and life, I find that there are times when I feel exactly what Matthew Henry describes. I am called to ascend and I cannot. I am called to move forward, and I am unable to move at all. I am burdened by the dead weight of concern for the things of this world. Maybe you have had this experience as well.

This scripture instructs us to lay aside every weight. It also instructs us to lay aside the sin which so easily ensnares us. As we discussed, this sin could be different from person to person, and could even be related to the circumstances of our lives. Have you ever noticed how some sins seem more prevalent during certain circumstances, both “good” and “bad”?

There is one sin however, that seems to easily entangle or ensnare all of us from time to time –
the sin of unbelief.

Jesus often chided His followers regarding their “little faith”, in a variety of circumstances.

When they were overly concerned and anxious regarding the basic needs of life –
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matt 6:30)

When the disciples reacted to an unexpected storm –
He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matt 8:26)

When Peter walked on water, and in fear took his eyes off Jesus –
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?“ (Matt 14:31)

When His disciples missed the point altogether, and developed short term memory loss regarding the miracles they had already witnessed –
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? (Matt 16:8)

When His disciples could not drive out a demon, and asked “Why?” –
He replied, "Because you have so little faith.” (Matt 17:20)

Little faith can be the trap which ensnares us – entangles us. An ensnared believer cannot at the same time be working out his or her salvation, because a believer of little faith no longer has his eyes fixed on Jesus. His eyes are fixed on himself, or others, or circumstances – not on Jesus.

Once again, the “haunting question” from the Truth Project comes back to mind –

“Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?”

In Matthew 17:20, the disciples wanted to know why they could not drive out the demon. Jesus’ answer was short and to the point - "Because you have so little faith.”

Think about your own Christian walk. Is there some area which is a constant area of struggle for you? Some area of your life that always seems to trip you up – entangle you – ensnare you?

Could it be because you have so little faith?

This week’s lesson reminded me that my faith is often too little. When I believe – really believe that what I believe is real – I continue to work out my salvation, growing and maturing spiritually. When I am a man of little faith, I get all tangled up in the affairs of this world – and this is exactly where Satan wants me.

Until next week – remember that you are perfect in God’s sight. Remember that He loves you even when you demonstrate little faith. Remember to fix your eyes on Jesus, for He is the author and perfecter of your faith.

In Christ,
John