–Pastor Robbie Cheuvront
Often times at The Journey, you’ll hear one of us say during a sermon, “It’s an already/not yet thing.” Most of the time, this term is used concerning the kingdom of God. For example, when Jesus told people about His kingdom, He often would tell them about what it would and does look like. And we read from our brothers like Peter, John and Paul, about a restored, fully redeemed creation, but in almost the same breath, they will tell us that it has already been accomplished, though we wait to see it.
This weekend, I was reading in 1 Corinthians when I came across another “already/not yet” thing. This one is something that we usually think of as being “already”. And though Peter, and particularly Paul in this case, tell us that it is absolutely a “not yet” thing, too, I wonder how many of us think about it in that sense. Take a look here at what 1 Corinthians 1:18 says:
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The specific piece of text that I would highlight here is where Paul says that we are “being saved”. I don’t know about you, but when I think of my salvation, I tend to only think of it as an “already” type thing. Meaning, I have put my faith in Christ for the forgiveness of my sins, and I know that when I stand before my Father in heaven, He will see Christ’s righteousness instead of my filthy, stained, sinful life. And this is absolutely the case. It has been accomplished. There is nothing left to be done.
So why, then, does Paul speak of “being saved”? Now, I know that the temptation is to just say, “Well, Paul is speaking of all those who would be saved in the future, as the Gospel moves forward.” I would say, “Yes, perhaps. But I believe there is a different substance to what Paul is saying here. And there is scriptural evidence to support my claim.
On Wednesday, I will post the second piece of this blog, further explaining my thoughts on this. But for now, I would be interested in your take on it.
-Robbie Cheuvront