PARSING THE PACKAGE

 

'I am different now.

Every part of me 

Has been touched by freedom

(Oh Jesus, you gotta hold on me).

🎶🎶🎶🎶

These lines from the refrain of the Kirk Franklin/Travis Greene's song "Hold on me" would be a great way to begin this week's post because it accurately captures the topic of discussion. The sentence of interest is "Every part of me has been touched by freedom," explaining how the salfivic grace has permeated every fibre of his being, which in a way is comparable to the computing word "parsing," which describes the process of breaking down a string of data or code into its component parts and how they relate to one another. 

Imagine salvation as a parcel that has been delivered to us. Our task now is to open the gift box and arrange the many objects inside.

The phrase "parsing the package" refers to the process of unravelling a gift, in this case salvation, and comprehending how it impacts our own aspects of life. It is nonetheless true that sinful humanity was saved, and as such, the impact of that redemption permeates all of his activities, redefining his priorities, rearranging his concentration, and refining his outlook on the future from one of hopelessness to one of optimism.

The book of Hebrews chapter 6, verses 1–9 is a very resourceful text in this regard. Believers were mandated to move beyond the "elementary teachings about Christ" and "go on to maturity." These elementary teachings—repentance, faith in God, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement—are crucial but foundational. 

The text implores believers to build upon these basics and not remain stagnant in their spiritual growth. The same thing was echoed in Hebrews Chapter 5 verses 12–14, where everyone that dwells solely on milk—the first principles of God—is described as a babe, who is unskillful in the word of righteousness, but those of full age will handle the strong meat.

This paints the picture of something progressive and continual, which means it is not a one-off. Verse 9 of Hebrews 6 talks about the things that accompany salvation, which the writer described as better things, requiring us to keep on applying diligence, faith, and patience to clinch or achieve them. 

This is where the metaphor of salvation as “package” becomes vital. If salvation is viewed merely as escaping hell, it is easy for believers to overlook the ongoing transformation and maturation necessary for spiritual growth. Salvation, in its fullest sense, includes sanctification—the process of becoming more like Christ, which requires growth beyond the foundational truths.

Romans 1:17 declares, "The righteous will live by faith." This statement encapsulates the essence of the Christian journey: righteousness is not a one-time achievement but a way of life. Faith is not a static possession but an active, ongoing reliance on God that continually transforms the believer.

This verse draws attention to the ongoing nature of faith in the believer’s life. Many Christians are tempted to view faith as something they needed at the moment of salvation alone. However, Romans 1:17 emphasises that faith is the means by which the righteous live—day by day, decision by decision.

In modern terms, faith is much like a smartphone. When you first purchase the phone, it is brand new and loaded with potential, but it requires regular updates to function optimally. If the updates are ignored, the phone becomes outdated, sluggish, and may even malfunction. Similarly, a Christian's faith, if not continually nourished, can stagnate, leading to spiritual sluggishness or even backsliding.

This understanding of faith as a lifestyle challenges the contemporary culture of instant gratification. In a world where success is often measured by quick results, the Christian life is marked by the steady, often slow, but faithful pursuit of righteousness. Salvation equips the believer with the faith necessary for the journey, but it is by continuing to "live by faith" that the journey is completed.

In a real-world context, this is much like receiving a complex piece of furniture from a store. The package contains all the essential parts, including screws, bolts, and instructions. While having the parts is crucial, the journey to having a fully functional piece of furniture requires effort—reading the manual, understanding how things fit together, and using the right tools.

Just as furniture assembly requires intentional action, so does the Christian life. The grace that brings salvation also empowers believers to progress in spiritual maturity. The idea here is simple: salvation provides both the foundation and the tools necessary for growth, but it is up to the believer to engage in the process. 

Apostle Peter couldn't have been more succinct in the first chapter of his second epistle verses 3-10; he revealed that by God's power, we have been provided with all the things we need for life and godliness—a salvation toolkit—and then he begins to mention them. He concluded that discourse by establishing that anyone who subscribes to this will be fruitful in the knowledge of God and, as such, will make his or her election sure.

Philippians 2:12-16 offers more clarity on this matter. In verse 12, Paul exhorts believers to "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." This does not imply earning salvation through works, but rather that believers are responsible for cultivating the salvation that has been freely given. The following verse clarifies: "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose" (Phil. 2:13).

Here, Paul emphasises both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Salvation is God's work, yet believers must actively cooperate with His grace. God provides the power and desire, but we must engage in the process. This is analogous to a physical exercise regimen. A personal trainer can design the perfect workout plan, but if the client doesn't show up and put in the effort, no transformation will occur.

In today's context, many Christians struggle with balancing faith and effort. The prevalence of "hyper-grace" teachings that minimise the necessity of personal discipline often results in a shallow understanding of salvation. Conversely, legalism, which emphasises works without relying on God’s grace, can lead to burnout and spiritual disillusionment. Paul’s exhortation in Philippians provides a holistic approach: we work out what God has already worked into us.

In an age of self-help, instant success, and quick fixes, the message of progressive sanctification is increasingly counter-cultural. Salvation, as a package, is not just about escaping punishment but about embracing a lifelong journey of transformation. This understanding is critical, especially in a world that often prefers shortcuts and avoids discomfort.

For instance, many young Christians today are inundated with messages about achieving success, influence, and happiness—quickly and easily. But the Christian journey, as portrayed in Scripture, requires perseverance, faithfulness, and often the embracing of trials as tools for growth. Salvation equips believers with the tools they need—faith, grace, and the Holy Spirit—but they must continually "work out" their salvation in daily life.

The Christian life is not just about arriving at a destination but walking the journey well; hence, the saying that the end justifies the means does not apply in the redemption lexicon but rather, it is the means that determines the end. It's about using the tools provided in the salvation package—faith, obedience, believers community, and grace—to navigate life’s complexities and grow in spiritual maturity. As already established, salvation is not a one-time event but a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ.

Therefore, seeing that it is a marathon and not a sprint, what manner of Christian should we be than to rely solely on the divine energy that the Holy Spirit provides? Every heaven-bound Christian needs a constant supply of the Holy Spirit in order to run this race effectively. Paul's admonition to the Ephesians in his epistle to them in Chapter 5, verse 18, is very relevant to us today. We were urged not to be drunk with wine—ambitions, affluence, goals, aspirations, filthy lucre—wherein there is excess but that we be filled with the Holy Ghost. In a similar way that an automobile needs a refill each time it runs low on fuel, such is the case with every believer who is desirous of a victorious and blameless Christian life. 

We must always be the deer that pants after the water Brooks to draw from the Holy Ghost-powered salvation well. For only those who wait upon the Lord shall definitely get their strength renewed for greater exploits.