At present, we are working with the light of truth presented by Dr. Francis Schaeffer from his book True Spirituality where we are discussing the basic considerations of the Christian life, or true Christianity.

Part  31

Conclusion of our study in the chapter – Salvation:  Past, Future, Present 

Sanctification and assurance are comparable.  A man may be saved and not have understanding (experiential comprehension) he is saved because he does not raise the empty hands of faith at this particular moment and believe God’s promises.  And a man may lack in sanctification all that God means him to have in the present life because even though Christ has purchased it for him upon the cross he fails to believe God at this place and raise the empty hands of faith moment by moment.  Now let me repeat, to be absolutely clear about it, the basis of your salvation is not your faith; it is the finished work of Christ.  Faith is the instrument to receive this wonderous free gift from God that Christ has purchased for us.   

So this is the third unity, the unity of what salvation is:  a single piece, and yet a flowing stream.  I became a Christian once for all upon the basis of the finished work of Christ through faith; that is justification.  The Chrisitan life, sanctification, operates on the same basis, but moment-by-moment.  There is the same base (Christ’s work) and the same instrument (faith); the only difference is that one is once-for-all and the other is moment-by-moment.  The whole unity of biblical teaching stands solid at this place.  If we try to live the Christian life in our own strength we will have sorrow, but if we live in this way, we will not only serve the Lord, but in place of sorrow, he will be our song.  That is the difference.  The ‘how’ of the Christian life is the power of the crucified and risen Lord, through the agency of the indwelling Holy Spirit, by faith, moment by moment.   

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope’.  Romans 15:13 ESV.

This is our calling, through the agency of the Holy Spirit.  We are not called to serve God just any way, but to know joy and peace in believing. 

Thoughts developed or used directly from the work of Schaeffer, Francis. True Spirituality . Tyndale House Publishers, Inc