However, faith doesn’t end with justification. Many Christians readily accept that faith alone is the basis for receiving forgiveness and a righteous standing from God, acknowledging their sinfulness and dependence on Christ's work on the cross. Yet, they sometimes fail to continue in that same spirit of faith in their daily lives (Galatians 3:3).
The believers in Galatia are a prime example of those who, having begun in the Spirit – hearing and believing the gospel message and being convinced of salvation through faith alone – sought to be made perfect by their own efforts (Galatians 3:3). This reflects a common error: depending on the cross for salvation but relying on personal strength, conviction, and diligence for daily sanctification.
When Paul explains the gospel to the Romans, he first discusses justification by faith (Romans 3-5) and then moves on to how Christians should live (Romans 6-8). One objection to the gospel of faith from the Jews was that it might encourage sinful living, as if the more one sinned, the more God’s grace would abound. Paul refutes this, asking, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!" (Romans 6:1-2). When a person is saved, they recognise not only that Christ died for them but that they died with Christ. Their old self was buried, and they are now called to live a new life in the power of Christ’s resurrection.
This new reality might tempt some to think that living out faith is akin to "letting go and letting God," requiring no effort. However, this is unbiblical. Paul encourages believers to "work out your own salvation" (Philippians 2:12). This is not promoting a works-based salvation but emphasising the diligence needed to live righteously. He then states, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). The New Testament teaches that while we lack the strength to keep God's commands naturally, the Holy Spirit both gives us the desire and empowers us to obey.
This dependence on God should not lead to laziness or disregard for what we watch, read, or do. We must be ruthless with sin. Jerry Bridges, in his book The Disciplines of Grace, likens this to the two wings of an aircraft, one wing representing grace and the other discipline. Both are necessary for the plane to fly. Similarly, Christians must depend on God’s grace while diligently obeying His commands in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
I am deeply grateful that God justifies us based on faith, and sanctifies us (sets us apart for Himself practically) by faith. If my Christian life depended solely on me I would be helpless, because I have no power in myself to live out the life God calls me to. But, praise God, my eternal standing and daily living are both rooted in the value, work, and merit of my Saviour, Jesus Christ.
