WE ARE NOT IN HEAVEN YET

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-13)

Devotion 4 of 37

THE NECESSITY OF VIGILANCE

Men of various theological persuasions are prone to bring up hypothetical situations. These are possibilities of their own creation, and are generally designed to justify their own persuasion. Contentions over these hypothetical situations are often so strong they cause the people of God to become sharply divided, even generated hatred and despite among those claiming identity with the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a most serious circumstance.

The questions posed and debated by the self-professed theological experts are endless. "Can a person saved ever be lost?" "Will a person who dies on the way to being baptized be saved?" "Once a person is born again, can they ever be unborn?" "Did a person who falls away ever really believe?" "If God has determined to conform us to Christ's image, how can anything we do interfere with that determination?" Questions of a similar nature are endless.

These questions appear to be wise, and may even be challenging to some. But that appearance is only on the surface, having no real substance. There are some things all of them have in common. First, none of them are posed by God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit. No Apostolic discourse approached salvation in this manner. Second, they all have the taint of "flesh" upon them. They are the type of questions men would ask, not God (and God DOES ask questions). Third, they tend to move men into the area of speculation, not faith. They are buttressed by human reasoning, not Divine utterance.

Salvation is not speculative or theoretical. It does not deal with mere possibilities or probabilities. It deals with hard realities, declaring things as they are. Scripture does not present sin from a theoretical viewpoint, and, consequently does not take that approach to deliverance from sin. Because both the assessment of our natural condition and deliverance from it are developed exclusively from Scripture, there is no ambiguity in its proclamation of both. There is a precision that marks Divine utterances that is absolutely consistent. This is particularly true when addressing the matter of salvation.

The salvation of God includes the requirement for vigilance. By "vigilance," I mean watchful, especially to avoid danger. In a solemn declaration of our situation in this world, the Spirit admonishes, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (1 Pet 5:8-9). He very idea of an "adversary" lifts us from the realm of theory. The fact that it is OUR adversary moves us fully into the realm of certitude. Notice that resistance of our adversary has to do with steadfastness in faith–persistence in believing. There is no hope of resistance apart from faith. It is pointless to speculate about this. God has spoken!

The word translated "vigilant" means to be alert to danger, keeping awake lest we are caught unawares. This is not a word that deals with theoretical danger, but very real jeopardy. Anything that requires constancy of faith is not an abstract idea, and it is the height of absurdity to insinuate it is. If God sounds the trumpet, it is because very real danger is near to us.

Believers are admonished to "WATCH," and to do so with keen perception and sensitivity (1 Cor 16:13; 1 Thess 5:6; Rev 3:2). Their condition requires alertness. There enemy is real. The danger they face is real. They are in the realm of time, where change is possible, whether it is forward or backward. As long as we are in this world we will be subjected to eroding influences and the attacks of the wicked one. We are in the danger zone, and our only protection is obtained through faith. It is foolish to admonish saints to "be vigilant" if there is no imperilment. If Satan is powerless against us, it is absurd to tell us to "resist" him.

Keep in mind, the Holy Spirit is speaking to us. He speaks with the panorama of redemptive truth before Him. The effectiveness of Christ's vicarious sacrifice is in His consideration. The predeterminations of God are fully grasped by Him, with all of their implications and ramifications. He warns us of our adversary within the context of Divine power, and all of the advantages of God's "great salvation." His words are not coated with delusion or flavored with deceit. He speaks of a real salvation, a real adversary, and a real need.

Put from your mind any concept of salvation that does not require vigilance, for God has no such salvation. Remove yourself from theological influences that leave you thinking the devil is not a real threat, or that steadfastness in the faith is not essential. Such thoughts are delusions, and give advantage to your adversary, not you. If you cannot speak to the people of God in the same way as the Spirit, you simply have the wrong message.

The individual who has an ear to hear, and hears what the Spirit is saying to the churches, will be undergirded by omnipotence. Those who are steadfast in the faith will not be overcome by the adversary. Those who persist in believing will be neither confounded nor ashamed (1 Pet 2:6; Rom 9:33). But keeping power and protection are nowhere promised to those who are not steadfast in the faith and vigilant of spirit.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank You for revealing the nature of my situation. I thank You for the keeping me by faith, and for not allowing me to be tempted above my ability. Grant me grace to be steadfast in the faith, and vigilant in my spirit.

– Tomorrow: THE NECESSITY OF DILIGENCE --

PRAYER POINT: Father,

-- Tomorrow: