Salvation is to continue ... on and on and on!

It is interesting that the Scripture does not view salvation as a noun. In fact, this text views salvation as a verb…salvation is to be active and transforming and making adjustments in the lives of God’s people. Salvation has some sort of expectation or results in mind. It is not terminal…but ongoing.

To continue is to keep going: to last, or make something last, beyond the present or throughout a period of time… it is to not stop: to keep up an activity or state already begun.  It is to continue…Paul tells the Philippians to cling to humility and to embrace the attitude of Jesus and then in response to humility and attitude…he says to continue in Philippians 2:12, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue”

There’s an old story about Dr. Benjamin Warfield. He was a theology professor at Princeton Seminary. While he was still at the height of his academic powers, his wife got sick. And she became an invalid. He took care of her for ten years. During that ten-year period, he never spent more than 2 hours away from his wife. Even though she was handicapped, she still loved to read. And so Dr. Warfield would sit at her bedside day after day. And read to her. He was always gentle and caring with her.

One day, someone asked him, "Have you ever thought about taking your wife to an institution?" Then you could write bigger books and have a bigger ministry." But Dr. Warfield said, "No way. My wife is my ministry. I will never leave her side. I am going to love her and take care of her as long as God grants us life."

That’s how the Lord Jesus feels about us. He will not walk away from us. He will not abandon us. He will not throw us away like yesterday’s news.. He will minister his love and his compassion to us just as Dr. Warfield did for his wife.

This is also a prime example of what it is to continue in the Christian faith…we are to press forward…push onward…and to continue…even when life seems to over whelm us.

Hebrews 12:1-3 outlines it with; “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Salvation is to continuous processes... You know I love ya, Don