“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 ESV
Reflection: are you already saved, or are you being saved?
Mount Everest has always fascinated me, not only by its beauty, but by the complexity of climbing it. And thousands around the world have taken a similar fascination to the next level and attempted to actually climb it. Only a very few have reached the summit, and made it safely out of what is known as the “death zone” and safely all the way back to base camp. There are many stories of climbers who misjudged their abilities, didn’t listen to the guides and Sherpas, and therefore didn’t make it back. They didn’t have sufficient strength, oxygen, supplies, or took the wrong turn on the way back due to weather or even snow blindness. If you read stories from guides and climbers, they will generally say that the trip down is much more difficult, more dangerous than going up, because of fatigue, supplies, weather, etc, and it is when most climbing accidents happen. Because, clearly, you are not safe until you are back in base camp.
In a way, we are all like these climbers, on a very treacherous path through life in this world. It might not feel like that, as we often enjoy so many blessings here, like a summer vacation on the beach, a family gathering during holidays, moving into a new house, or finally getting a promotion at work. Take your pick at whatever favorite blessing you have experienced, it certainly can feel amazing, almost like those climbers reaching a mountain summit. Like we want that feeling again. But, at the same time, we can also forget that we are only in the world, and the “trip down the mountain” can be very difficult. Do we have the right guide in life, and are we actually listening to him? Or are we too self absorbed, thinking we can handle things in life without the only guide who can lead us to safety, the Lord Jesus Christ?
Paul opens chapter 15 with a statement that might go counter to what we often hear taught within Christian circles. He is addressing some false teachings that has made its way into the church in Corinth, related to the resurrection of Jesus, and therefore the resurrection of all who have “fallen asleep”, or died in faith of Christ. Let’s read the opening again. “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 ESV. He is really saying that the gospel Paul preached to them, the whole gospel of Jesus Christ, “is saving them”. It is active, as if they are not there yet. It is not a past tense of “saved”, but rather “being saved”.
“Wait a minute”, you might say. Am I not saved if I have received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior?
In a way it is a tricky thing to think through, because on the one hand it is yes, and at the same time as long as we are in the world, “we are not fully there yet”. What I mean is that, just like those climbers, unless they follow the guide all the way to safety, we too can “receive Christ” and then choose to ignore him. To start trusting in our own abilities or follow false doctrine. Or even start listening to other voices of the world, and get lost. We must put our entire faith in Christ Jesus, all the way to safety, all the way home. Paul goes through a rather lengthy argument about the importance of teaching and following the whole gospel, including the resurrection of the dead, and concludes “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 ESV
As long as we are in the world, let’s put our full faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, each and every day, until the day when we see him face to face. If you have gotten off track, lost within this world, call out to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is looking for you, wanting to guide you home. We read even from Proverbs “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV