Introduction
At Pillar Church, we celebrate every decision to follow Jesus and accept Him as Savior. It’s the most important decision anyone can make. Being born again is a transformative event where God forgives us, makes us new, and seals our eternity in heaven. Salvation means that we are saved—fully and completely—by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
But while salvation guarantees our eternity with God, it’s just the starting point of our journey. The Christian life is more than a ticket to heaven—it’s a call to transformation here on earth. This is where the process of spiritual formation begins: a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Salvation: Secure in Christ
When we are saved, our eternity is secure. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us:
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
Salvation is not based on our works or our ability to live perfectly—it’s based on God’s grace alone. Once we are born again, we are part of God’s family forever. John 10:28-29 assures us:
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
This is the foundation of our faith: knowing we are loved, chosen, and secure in Christ.
Sanctification: The Journey of Transformation
While salvation happens in an instant, sanctification is a process. It’s the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, transforming us into the image of Christ. As Paul writes in Philippians 2:12-13:
“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
This doesn’t mean we earn our salvation; rather, it’s about growing in the new life we’ve been given. Salvation is the foundation, and sanctification is the building process.
Spiritual Formation: A Lifelong Process
One of the challenges many Christians face is the pressure to “get it all right” immediately after salvation. I once knew someone who had just become a Christian and was immediately told to fast regularly, pray for hours, and read entire chapters of the Bible every day.
While these spiritual disciplines are valuable, they are best developed over time as we grow in our relationship with Christ. For this new believer, the weight of these expectations left him feeling discouraged and defeated, as though he could never measure up.
The truth is, God doesn’t expect us to be fully mature the moment we’re saved. Just as a baby grows into adulthood step by step, our spiritual formation happens gradually. As we walk with the Holy Spirit, He gently leads us into greater maturity, helping us to develop habits and disciplines that draw us closer to God.
Salvation Is Secure, But Growth Is a Choice
Once we are saved, our eternity is settled. But our spiritual formation depends on how we respond to the Holy Spirit. Will we choose to follow His lead and grow in faith, or will we stay stagnant?
The Christian life is about more than just avoiding sin; it’s about becoming more like Jesus. This means:
- Listening to the Holy Spirit: He will guide you into the steps you need to take next in your journey.
- Embracing Growth: Don’t be discouraged if you’re not where you want to be yet. Trust the process of sanctification.
- Walking in Grace: Remember, it’s not about earning God’s love—you already have it.
Salvation, Sanctification, and Relationship
Salvation isn’t just about where we’ll spend eternity; it’s about who we’re becoming along the way. At Pillar Church, we believe Christianity is about relationship, not religion. The closer we grow to God, the more our lives align with His will—not because we have to, but because we want to.
Sanctification isn’t about rules; it’s about walking with the Spirit and allowing Him to shape us into who God created us to be. And it all begins with the assurance that we are saved, loved, and secure in Christ.
Your Next Step
Wherever you are in your faith journey, know that God isn’t finished with you yet. Salvation is just the beginning of the incredible work He wants to do in your life.
If you’re looking for a place to grow and take your next step, we invite you to join one of our Life Groups. Together, we’ll explore what it means to live out our faith and experience the transforming power of God.
Let’s grow in Christ, together.
