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 10 of 37

DANGER = LIABILITY

When dealing with a subject like this, it is important not to leave trusting ones thinking their faith is not honored by God. Without faith, it is not possible to please God–whether initially, or at any other time (Heb 11:6). However, faith is always pleasing to God, and is always honored by Him. It is never vain to trust the Lord, and the one who believes will never be confounded or put to shame (1 Pet 2:6; Rom 10:11). I am endeavoring to show that "newness of life" is not lived in a vacuum. Nor, indeed, does it go on automatically, without due attention. Jesus spoke of some who had remaining things–things He gave--that were "ready to die" (Rev 3:2). We are obliged to take the Master's words seriously, regardless of how they may or may not blend with our theology.

Our Lord spoke of being His disciple, and the requirements for such. He spoke in no uncertain terms about the matter. "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be my disciple" (Lk 14:28). In delineating this "cross," He challenged His hearers to count the cost of discipleship. He said there was such a thing as not being able to "finish." "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish" (Lk 14:29-30). It is not on the part of wisdom to speculate about whether such a condition can exist or not. This is Jesus speaking, and He cares nothing about whether man's theology agrees with Him or not. It is HIS perspective that is to be embraced, even if it requires that we abandon our own views. Jesus knew full well of the commitment of the Father to our salvation, His eternal purpose, foreknowledge, and Sovereignty. If our view of those realities cause us to balk at His words, we simply have the wrong view. It should discarded with determination and haste.

Repeatedly, believers are alerted to certain dangers around them. Faith will make them equal to the challenges of these dangers, but not without their vigilance. Furthermore, the postulate of Scripture is that danger equals liability, for where there is no liability, danger cannot exist. The very notion of peril without the possibility of being affected by it is an absurdity unworthy of being in our minds.

Jesus was noted for His warnings as well as His promises. Warnings are to be taken seriously just as the promises. Think of some of our Lord's warnings. "Beware of false prophets" (Matt 7:15). "But beware of men" (Matt 10:17). "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees" (Matt 16:6). "Beware of the scribes" (Mk 12:28). "Beware of covetousness" (Lk 12:15). Does an all-wise and loving Savior warn us about things that pose no danger, no threat, no liability? If these things are really of no consequence, or do not pose a threat, there really is no point to them being said. But they ARE said, and they are to be received with all sobriety.

The Apostles knew nothing of living in this world without being faced with jeopardy. They called upon the saints to be aware of certain dangers also. "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision" (Phil 3:2). "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Col 2:8). "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness" (2 Pet 3:17). Who is the person who will step forward and say there is no danger in these things? Who will be bold enough to shout back to the Holy Spirit, "There is no danger in ravenous dogs or evil workers? We have nothing to fear from corrupt religious teachers!" Who is the theologian that will dare to say to the Inspirer of Scripture, "No man can spoil or plunder me! I am safe in Jesus, and this cannot happen to me!" Is there a sophist foolish enough to stand before the throne of God, who commanded these things to be written, and say, "I cannot be led away with the error of the wicked, nor can I fall from my own steadfastness!"

Ah, but some will wax bold and acknowledge these things CAN all happen–they are genuine liabilities, but not in the matter of salvation. But God did not say they had nothing to do with your salvation. In fact, the Spirit spoke these words because they DO have something to do with your salvation. You are NOT in a spiritual vacuum, being carried to glory independently of your involvement. Your heart knows that is the case, so let your mind come into accord with it. You are in a battle field, where casualties are possible. You have been provided the "whole armor of God," but YOU must put it on (Eph 6:10-18). God will empower you to do it, but you must still do it. God promises no victory to the one who blunders into life as though there were no enemies. He has made no commitments to bring those to glory who do not put on the "whole armor of God."

When Israel came into Canaan, they faced enemies. The land was not empty. The Lord gave them all that was required to drive the enemies out, and promised to undergird their effort to do so. He will do the same for you. Your labor is not vain in the Lord (1 Cor 15:58). You are not in heaven yet, but you will be if you take Divine warnings seriously. The Lord once destroyed some people He delivered from bondage (Jude 5). Solemnly, believers are exhorted not to let this happen to them. "For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee" (Rom 11:21). Knowing the liabilities that surround us, and the craftiness of the "old serpent," the Spirit says, "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off" (Rom 11:22). No amount of arguing can erase that warning from God's Word. It is best to simply believe it. It is an accurate portrayal of our situation, spoken by the Spirit Himself. It is still in order to say, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor 10:12). For those fond of contextual considerations, that passage (1 Cor 10:1-11) points us to a people that were saved, yet did not get into the promised land. Do not let unbelief rob you of the benefit of such a warning.

Danger DOES equal liability! It does not, however, introduce an impossibility, for "all things are possible to him that believes." Neither, indeed, is danger to move us to live in fear and doubt, as though God had not made provisions for such circumstances. Taking the warnings seriously, and fighting the good fight of faith, will always bring the blessing of God.

Now, hear what the Spirit says. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1 Tim 4:16). Do not imagine that means salvation is insecure, or that God is not able to keep you from falling. But do not think for one moment it means there are no genuine liabilities, or no need for you to "fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim 6:12). Embrace the warning, and by faith do what it says. You will not be disappointed.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise You for revealing the nature of spiritual life--alerting me to the dangers as well as declaring to me the promises. In Jesus' name, help me to see them both clearly.

-- Tomorrow: CAN A REBORN PERSON BE UNBORN? --