Saved by Faith, Shaped by Faith

Salvation 2025 | Day 13

“Therefore, my beloved, as you 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 ‭NKJV‬‬

Salvation through faith is one of the most profound mysteries and gifts in the Christian journey. Scripture teaches that the moment we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, we are saved. This act is instantaneous, a decisive transaction in the spiritual realm where we are declared righteous, adopted into God’s family, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Yet, as we walk out our salvation, we quickly learn that faith is not just a one-time decision, it’s also a lifelong process.

A powerful illustration of progressive faith is seen in Luke 17:14, where Jesus tells ten lepers, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” The verse continues, “And as they went, they were cleansed.” Their healing didn’t occur the moment Jesus spoke and it manifested as they obeyed in faith. In the same way, though salvation begins the moment we believe, the full expression of its transforming power often unfolds as we walk it out in obedience. Faith requires motion, and healing like growth in salvation, is revealed in the going.

Another example is found in Mark 11:20-21, where the disciples pass by the fig tree that Jesus had cursed the day before. “In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!’” The change had already started, though it wasn’t visible at first. Likewise, in salvation, the moment you believe, the root of sin withers but the fruit of righteousness becomes visible with time and faithfulness.

So, let us hold fast to faith not just as the entry point into salvation, but as the sustaining force that carries us through. Like the lepers, let us keep walking. Like the fig tree, let us trust that transformation is happening at the root. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Further reading: Ephesians 1:13, Philippians 1:6, 2:12, Proverbs 24:16