The text message read, Sometimes I wonder if I will ever make it.
That is also how I felt as I plodded up the steep, rocky pathway. Sore shoulders from the heavy backpack and sorer feet from the kilometres of hiking trail behind me. Up ahead some fellow hikers were already sitting at the highest point, relaxing and enjoying the stunning view of the Cape fynbos, white sandy beaches and deep blue ocean waters. They had made it.
It is actually no surprise that the Christian life is often compared to a journey along a pathway or road. Not just by us, but by many of the writers of the Bible as well. You have made known to me the path of life (Psalm16:11). Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105). Broad is the road that leads to destruction but narrow the road that leads to life (Matthew7:13). Many books have used this theme, including the famous Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan. The story is an allegory of the Christians journey through life on their way to the promised land. No different, in many ways, to the Israelites 40 year journey through the wilderness on their way to the promised land of Canaan, nor Abrahams journey. Both stories are found in the first five books of the Bible.
We slip and fall
Our lives, just like the hike I was on, have ups and downs. Times when the going is easy and times when it is really, really tough. Times when we enjoy the view and the smell of the flowers and times when we doubt whether we can take one more step. Then there are times when we slip and fall and hurt ourselves really badly, and times when we lose our way and wander off the path. Even Jesus, in his great wisdom, warned us that in this life we would have troubles (John 16:33).
Many Christians tend to see the path of everyday life as the path moving forward towards eventual salvation. Hence the text message from my Christian friend going through difficult times that said she sometimes wonders if she will ever make it. She wondered if she would be saved and obtain eternal life as her reward.
An angry God?
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) gave some stirring sermons. Unfortunately, the one entitled Sinners in the hands of an angry God, is nowadays his most well known. In the sermon Edwards gives the impression that an angry God is just waiting to punish sinners. That the reason why they are not fallen already and do not fall now is only that Gods appointed time is not come. For it is said, that when that due time, or appointed time comes, their foot shall slide. Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined by their own weight. God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, but will let them go; and then, at that very instant, they shall fall into destruction; as he that stands on such slippery declining ground, on the edge of a pit, he cannot stand alone, when he is let go he immediately falls and is lost. Edwards quotes from Deuteronomy 32:35 and Psalm 73:18-19.
The point I want to make is that I dont believe this is an accurate view of who God is or what being saved is truly about. We as Christians should not confuse our daily walk and growth through this life with that of our salvation. Salvation is not a touch and go situation. It is not a hopefully I wont lose my footing on the slippery rocks and break my neck in the process journey. The crux of the Gospel is not that we can be saved (if we dont put a foot wrong), but that we have been saved. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand (John 10:28). When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.(John 8:12).Our salvation is assured. It is founded on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and not on the slippery slope of human strength.
The Apostle Paul talked about how he struggled to do what was right and how tough his lifes journey was. But in the letter to the Ephesians he makes it very clear that we can be assured of our salvation. For we were chosen in Christ even before the creation of the world (Ephesians1:4). We have redemption through Jesus blood and by Gods grace (vs.6). We are marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (vs.14). For it is by grace you have been saved (vs.8.) Not will be, but have been. For we are Gods workmanship and he does all the work, not us (Ephesians 2:9-10). Salvation is something only God can do, it is supernatural.
I get to the top of the hill and sit down to rest my tired body. The view is breathtaking. The birds are singing and far below whales play lazily in the blue ocean. I too have made it. Should the hike have been too easy with no challenges then I would not have had the same sense of accomplishment and enjoyment. Looking back, at no stage should I have doubted that I would make it.
I send a text message to my friend. It reads, Tough hike but had a really great time and what a view from the top! Oh and by the way, no need to wonder. Youve made it!