In the beginnings of the
Church, we are told that the disciples continued in the apostles'
teaching. This implies something more than conversion; so that,
clearly, conversion is not everything. We must beware of
confounding beginnings with ends. Conversion is but initiation,
it must never be regarded as synonymous with salvation.
Conversion is a crisis which may occupy but one brief moment;
salvation is a process running on concurrently with life, and the
end of which is not yet. It is a process, moreover, that may be
hastened, retarded, or even arrested; and is a much greater and
grander thing than many even Christian people suppose.
As viewed by Christ and His
apostles it is no mere negative deliverance, it is rich in
positive elements, the unfolding of which will demand the
eternities for their field, and the infinities for their range -
elements which can in no wise be shut up and exhausted within the
narrow limitations of time. Who will dare to limit the
possibilities enfolded in the newborn spirit? Has it not been
born again for deathless and incorruptible being? and with
eternal life shall there not be eternal development, and
ever-growing likeness to God?
Measured by our years as
children of God we ought, many of us, to be teachers; measured by
our attainments we ought to be classed as spiritual defectives.
First published in "A Witness and A Testimony"
magazine, Jul-Aug 1948, Vol 26-4