liturgically inspired rant

The liturgical calendar's readings for today included this passage from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

"Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified."

That last sentence from Paul caught my attention and got me thinking. That sure doesn't sound like the sentiment of someone who holds to a "once saved, always saved" assurance of salvation kind of gospel. In fact, it sounds like someone who believes that there is more to being a Christian than just saying some prayer. It's almost like Paul believes that we should "work out our salvation with fear and trembling' (Phil 2:12).

I've never really understood the whole, once saved, always saved thing. Of course, it goes well with a bar-code faith that insists upon a one time, heart felt prayer being the only requirement for salvation. What's funny is that those who hold to a strong, unwavering view of assurance have a hard time with people who seem to have lost the faith. Charles Templeton, former evangelist & friend of Billy Graham renounced Christianity in his book Farewell to God. There's a website devoted to being a support network for "Ex-Christians". There are countless stories of once faithful believers who have lost the faith after personal tragedy or witnessing great suffering. The general response given to these examples is to immediately assume that the individual did not really mean it when they prayed the prayer--they we're posers, not really Christians.

But then, how does anyone really know if they were sincere enough when they said the prayer? How can you or I be sure that we really had faith when we prayed it? If we can't really be sure, because I may be ok today & go on a homicidal rampage or suffer a great loss tomorrow, then do I really have assurance of salvation? They seemed sincere. They seemed faithful. They seemed to by just like me.

I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it, our theology matters. What we think about God has a major impact on how we live. Even USA Today recognized this simple reality within the scope of politics this week. If I believe that nothing I do can change my standing before God after I've prayed the prayer, then it's not surprising that I can go through life without allowing my faith to have a great impact in how I live.

I think the New Testament is clear that salvation can be lost--not taken from me, but forfeited by me--and that being a follower of Jesus is a daily event. We sing songs about God's mercy being new every morning. We pray to be given our daily bread. We read that God provided manna and quail daily that could not be stored up or kept overnight. The bible is pounding out a message that we must take our walk with God on a day-to-day basis. Why would salvation be any different? Every day I am presented with a choice, "life or death, a blessing or a curse" and I must choose daily to follow God. If Paul can say that he was concerned that after all he had done he may still be disqualified from the reward, how much more should I be concerned.

This concern is not rooted in despair & human effort. It is grounded in faith and maintained by grace. When I choose to follow Jesus I enter into his grace and there is nothing that can take me away from that but my own will--the rock so big God can't move it. He will not force me to love him. He will woo me, court me, call to me, but he will not rape my will. If I choose to walk away, he will chase me & hound me, but he will not force me to be with him. In this sense I am assured of salvation as long as I choose to remain in his grace. It takes discipline to do this, to train my body of flesh to stay put & not to chase after every little temptation that comes my way, but it can be done. And that is source of my hope.