The moment we trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord we enter a life of faith. Salvation is instantaneous. One moment we are aliens and strangers to the Kingdom of God, the next moment we are “a people belonging to God.” [I Peter 2:9]
While salvation is instantaneous, it takes a lifetime to understand and incorporate all that it means in our life. Paul said it this way to his beloved in Philippi: “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” [Phil 2:12-13 NLT]
We must continue to work out our salvation. The official term is sanctification. God wooed us and brought us to the point of salvation, and He doesn’t stop there. He continues to work in us for His good purpose for our lives. We now must learn to listen and obey – that’s what is meant by working out our salvation.
Even with the indwelling Spirit of God, we will still battle our flesh. We will still have to repent following those times when we allowed our flesh to rule instead of God’s Spirit. We still have daily choices that will lead us toward God or away from Him.
Learning to hear and obey God’s voice doesn’t just happen. It takes a fierce determination and persistence to learn the things of God. While salvation is all of God, sanctification is a cooperative effort.
