If There Is a True Profession of Faith…

If there is a true progression of faith, there should be a true progression of faith. Those who receive the gospel should continue in discipleship throughout their lives.

We know we are supposed to grow. We have read Jesus’ words on discipling others. But have you ever considered what is taking place?

Before you disciple someone else or work on your own personal growth, let’s unpack the theology of what is transpiring.

Without clarity on these critical issues, you run the subtle yet dangerous risk of working for redemption rather than working from redemption. In our goal of helping others experience Christian maturity, we must realize there is a human and a divine component to what is happening. While discipleship is the earthly side of our efforts, sanctification is the heavenly side of God’s work. 

At conversion, someone begins his or her discipleship journey. While we often think the job is finished at that moment, the work is honestly just getting started. God does the saving work, but he invites us to play a part in the sanctification work. The profession of faith is necessary for salvation (Rom. 10:9). Failure to do so will cause Jesus to deny you (2 Tim. 2:12; Matt. 7:23). Signaling a profession of faith is vitally important yet incomplete.

If there is a true profession of faith, there should be a true progression of faith.

Believers must progress beyond the initial claims of faith. It validates that conversion actually took place. You are not saved by good works (Eph. 2:9), but you are saved for good works (Eph. 2:10).

In the life of a believer, good works reveal that you genuinely have been redeemed. People changed by the gospel don’t stay the same. If a person makes a legitimate profession of faith, we should witness a long-term progression of faith.