Moment of Truth: Casting Down Lies #6

“Stop striving, Christian. God has already done it all.”

I saw this on Twitter once, which is what inspired this post.  This message is completely inaccurate because it suggests that if you strive, you are working for your salvation. A Christian already has salvation, but they must strive to work it out.1Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ~Philippians 2:12 KJV We must labor, striving according to His mighty work in us.

Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily. ~Colossians 1:29 KJV

Paul also tells us to “run the race” and he explains how to do it masterfully rather than beating the air. Here are his words below that show us that we must strive.

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. ~1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. ~2 Timothy 2:5 KJV

However, there is a scripture that says that we must not strive, but it is in a different context.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, ~2 Timothy 2:24 KJV

Strive also means quarrel or fight.  This scripture tells us that we must not force the message of the gospel—”Take this gospel or I will threaten you with bodily harm or put you in prison”— but be able to teach it with patience and gentleness. Take note that this is different from rebuking a Christian or intensely explaining hypocrisy, which Jesus, Paul, and Stephen demonstrate; some on several occasions.

So if anyone says, “Stop striving Christian.  Relax Christian. Chill Christian because God has already done it all,” you should know the truth that we must be diligent and disciplined as we work out our salvation that was given to us.