In the tapestry of our faith journey, there exists a profound theological tension that envelops the core of Christian experience. It’s a tension that both challenges and enriches our understanding of the blessings we have in Christ.
As believers, we find ourselves living in the midst of this exquisite tension. On the one hand, the Scriptures assure us that we possess every spiritual blessing in Christ: our adoption into God’s family; our redemption through His sacrifice; our sanctification by His Spirit; and our ultimate salvation. These truths stand firm as the bedrock of our faith. Yet, on the other hand, we encounter the reality that the fullness of these blessings is not yet fully realized in our lives.
The Paradox is between what we can already experience in this life and what fullness we will have once we are united to Christ in the eternal afterlife.
Believers’ Scriptural Identity
Already Adopted in Christ, But Not Yet Adopted
Romans 8:15: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.'”
Romans 8:23: “Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
We have the assurance of being adopted into God’s family through Christ’s work, but the full realization of this adoption awaits our glorification.
Already Redeemed in Christ, But Not Yet Redeemed
Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
Ephesians 4:30: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
The price of our redemption has been paid through Christ’s sacrifice, yet the complete fulfillment of redemption is yet to come when our bodies are glorified.
Already Sanctified in Christ, But Not Yet Sanctified
1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23–24: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”
We are positionally sanctified through Christ’s work, yet the process of sanctification continues until we are presented blameless before God.
Already Saved in Christ, But Not Yet Saved
Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Romans 5:9: “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
We have experienced salvation through faith in Christ, but the ultimate deliverance from the consequences of sin is still a future reality.
Already Raised with Christ, But Not Yet Raised
Ephesians 2:6: “And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 15:52: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Our spiritual resurrection has occurred in Christ, but the physical resurrection and transformation of our bodies await the final culmination of God’s plan.
‘Already’
The danger of getting stuck in the “already” perspective can lead to elitism, triumphalism, and idealism. We talk about all of heaven’s absolutes, yet our own life in reality does not show proof of any of these victories.
By faith we live from the “complete and finished redemption” work of Jesus Christ, and it takes a personal, intimate relationship with God to remain in the reality.
Like Enoch (Gen 5:21–24), we walk with God in momentary times of righteousness, and then one day we transition to be completely with Him.
‘Not yet’
The danger of getting stuck in the “not yet” perspective, is that it becomes a hiding place for unbelief (Bill Johnson).
As progressive bad things happen, it may lead to serious disappointments, and one can begin to believe that all the good stuff is only going to happen “one day when we are with Jesus”. Instead of partaking by faith, on the realities of the Spirit, here right now available to us.
Always Both – Already + Not Yet
Life in the Spirit is a life of Faith! Faith is active! Faith is present tense, making eternity a reality here right now. Faith has to be fresh and new. You cannot use yesterday’s faith. Faith is a revelation.
The Holy Spirit gives you an open heaven experience, and you see the reality of one-day as a present reality:
- In the dance of life’s paradox, I stand
- Already held in God’s embracing hand, yet yearning still for that eternal shore, where His presence’s fullness I’ll explore
- Sin’s grip is broken, victory is won, yet struggles linger till my race is run
- Seated with Christ in realms beyond the skies
- While time, thoughts, habits in battle rise.
- Contentment blooms within God’s loving grace
- Yet earthly quests my heart’s desires chase
- Material glimmers tempt my searching eyes
- But truest joy in God alone will rise
- In “already-but-not-yet” I find my place
- A journey marked by God’s abiding grace
- With hope, I press towards heaven’s embrace
- Walking in faith, running love’s steadfast race
Relationships Amidst “Already-and -the-Not-Yet”
As we consider the future of our relationships, we tend to dream of: unchallenged unity; unfettered romance; unobstructed communication; mutual cooperation; blanket acceptance and respect; shared decisions; intimate friendship; or an absence of conflict.
Our dreams tend to forget that our relationships are being lived out in the middle of the already-and-the-not-yet. This side of eternity, none of us get to be with the person of our dreams and none of us are ready to be the person of someone else’s dreams! We are all flawed people living in a fallen world, but with a faithful God. And at some point in every relationship, we are required to accept graciously who the other person is, even as we humbly admit who we are.[1]
A friend of mine encapsulates the inner struggle with paradox perfectly in his greatest admission of his vulnerability:
“My name is Hennie Viljoen and I have experienced an all-time high and all-time low simultaneously. I am strong and weak at the same time. I have absolute clarity on some things, but at the same time, I desperately need wisdom for the next step. I am certain and confused, energetic and extremely tired all at the same time. I hope, but I don’t see. God speaks clearly to me in His word, yet it is difficult because God’s Way regularly does not make logical sense. I am helping others more than ever, but I also need help more than ever before. In Christ I am victorious, but the devil is doing whatever he can to undermine my faith.”
[1] Lane, Timothy S.; Paul David Tripp. Relationships: A Mess Worth Making (p. 109). New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.
