‘Today’ is the time for faith in action

Last week’s column noted the biblical analogies of harvesting or building as illustrations of how we must manage our lives of Christian faith for lasting spiritual effectiveness. Both growing a crop (field, orchard or vineyard) and building a structure require sustained, steady, strategic effort. Every good that is accomplished must be done in some unit of time.

The Proverbs warn of sloth, neglect and procrastination. The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews also uses some of these same concepts and focuses on the imperative of “today.” We all know we have no guarantee of tomorrow. A classic motto that once hung on the wall of many Christian homes observed: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Extra emphasis could be placed on both “Christ” and “done.” Good intentions don’t produce results if they are not acted upon. I recently read the thought that there may be many people in hell who found the Sermon on the Mount inspiring.

The Hebrews writer’s appeal not to “neglect salvation” was not addressed to unbelievers urging them to “get saved” before it’s too late. It is an imperative to those who have started in the way of Christian faith to steadfastly continue processing life-transforming truth as the authentic expression of actual belief. These believers are warned not to repeat the deadly error of those in the Exodus, who, having been saved from Egyptian bondage, failed to continue in faith all the way to the Promised Land.

The Exodus was intended by God to develop full confidence in His goodness to make them fit to be His people. He wanted to teach them lessons that would produce mature, godly character suitable to create a holy society in the new land. Most of them never got there.

Our earthly life of faith is likewise intended to prepare us to be compatible with the culture and society of the heavenly world that is coming. Each day is an opportunity to grow in knowledge and fruitfulness in Christian living. Now. Today.

Pastor Gordon 

Warner Wesley Community Chapel