Embracing the Gospel Over Time

The Christian life is often perceived as a singular event of conversion, a decisive moment of accepting faith. While this initial embrace of the gospel is foundational, it marks not an end, but the beginning of an ongoing, dynamic process of transformation. True spiritual maturity involves not only a point-in-time commitment but also a continuous journey of growth, marked by internal change that progressively manifests in one’s outward life.

At the core of human existence lies the will, often referred to as the heart in biblical texts, from which the “springs of life” flow. For those who have embraced the gospel, a profound internal shift occurs: the Holy Spirit takes residence within the will, alongside the individual’s own spirit. This indwelling of the Spirit distinguishes the believer from one who remains “in the flesh,” operating solely by their own natural inclinations without divine presence. The apostle Paul eloquently contrasts these states, emphasizing that a mind set on the flesh leads to death and hostility towards God, whereas a mind set on the Spirit brings life and peace. To be “in the flesh” signifies a life devoid of the Spirit, relying solely on human capability. Conversely, to be “in the Spirit” or “in Christ” means to have the divine presence guiding and empowering one’s inner being.

Romans 8:5-10 (NASB) For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able [to do so], and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

The Ongoing Journey of Transformation

The initial act of faith initiates a lifelong process of spiritual formation. The New Testament affirms that this transformation is an inherent aspect of the believer’s experience, not an optional pursuit. The apostle Paul declares that if anyone is in Christ, they are a “new creation”; old things have passed away, and new things have come. This profound statement from 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 highlights the radical reorientation of identity that occurs at conversion, yet simultaneously sets the stage for the practical outworking of that new identity.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NASB) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [he is] a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all [these] things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

While a new creation in Christ, individuals often find themselves grappling with persistent old habits and patterns of thought. This internal struggle is a common feature of the Christian life, not a flaw. The divine promise is that God, who began a good work in believers, will be faithful to complete it. This divine commitment underscores the transformative journey, a process of working out one’s salvation with “fear and trembling,” recognizing that it is God who is actively at work within.

Philippians 1 (NASB)

1. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4. always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5. in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6. [For I am] confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10. so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11. having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which [comes] through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 12. Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13. so that my imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14. and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16. the latter [do it] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17. the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19. for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20. according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but [that] with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22. But if [I am] to live [on] in the flesh, this [will mean] fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23. But I am hard-pressed from both [directions], having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for [that] is very much better; 24. yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26. so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. 27. Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28. in no way alarmed by [your] opponents– which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that [too], from God. 29. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30. experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear [to be] in me.

Philippians 2 (NASB)

1. Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2. make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4. do not [merely] look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6. who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7. but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, [and] being made in the likeness of men. 8. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10. so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11. and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13. for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure. 14. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15. so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16. holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18. You too, [I urge you], rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. 19. But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20. For I have no one [else] of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child [serving] his father. 23. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things [go] with me; 24. and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. 25. But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; 26. because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned [about you]. 29. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 30. because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

This process culminates in believers being “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,” signifying a divine intention for progressive Christlikeness. Spiritual formation, therefore, is not merely a discipline for the exceptionally devout; it is the fundamental reality of human existence, shaping every individual either by the Spirit of God or by other influences.

Romans 8:29 (NASB) For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to become] conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

Navigating the Flesh and the Spirit

The tension between the new life in Christ and the remnants of the old self is a central theme in Christian theology. While the cross fundamentally deals with the mastery of sin, it does not immediately eradicate its presence or influence in the believer’s life. As Romans 6:1-2 indicates, believers have died to sin in terms of its dominion, meaning they are no longer obligated to yield to its power.

Romans 6:1-2 (NASB) What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

However, the ongoing struggle with sin’s presence is vividly portrayed in Romans 7, where Paul describes an internal conflict: “For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” This passage underscores that even for the converted, the flesh retains a will of its own, making the desire to do good present, but the ability to carry it out elusive. Yet, this struggle does not lead to condemnation for those in Christ, as declared in Romans 8:1.

Romans 7:15 (NASB) For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I [would] like to [do], but I am doing the very thing I hate.

Romans 7:18 (NASB) For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good [is] not.

Romans 8:1 (NASB) Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

This ongoing conflict highlights the misguided approach of attempting to perfect one’s spiritual life through self-effort. The Galatian believers, having received the Spirit by faith, were foolishly attempting to be perfected by the flesh. This illustrates a common error: believing that while salvation is by grace, sanctification is by human striving. Jesus unequivocally states, “apart from me you can do nothing,” emphasizing that genuine transformation is entirely dependent on divine power.

Galatians 3:1-3 (NASB) You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed [as] crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

John 15:5 (NASB) ’I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Instead, the New Testament exhorts believers to “walk by the Spirit.” This involves a relational engagement with the Holy Spirit, recognizing His active presence and leadership in one’s life. When individuals walk by the Spirit, they will not gratify the desires of the flesh, precisely because the Spirit and the flesh are in constant opposition. This spiritual warfare is a feature of the Christian journey, not a defect.

Galatians 5:16-17 (NASB) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

To belong to Christ means to have “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Therefore, if one lives by the Spirit, one must also “walk by the Spirit,” which can also be translated as “keeping in step with the Spirit.” This implies both a relational attentiveness to the Spirit’s leading and a directional alignment with His will. Embracing Christ’s yoke, as described in Matthew 11, offers rest not through the cessation of effort, but through a partnership with divine strength, allowing Him to lead the dance of life.

Galatians 5:24-25 (NASB) Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Matthew 11 (NASB)

1. When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2. Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent [word] by his disciples 3. and said to Him, ‘Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?’ 4. Jesus answered and said to them, ’Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5. [the] BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and [the] lame walk, [the] lepers are cleansed and [the] deaf hear, [the] dead are raised up, and [the] POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 6. ‘And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.’ 7. As these men were going [away], Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, ’What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8. ‘But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft [clothing]? Those who wear soft [clothing] are in kings’ palaces! 9. ’But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10. ’This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’ 11. ’Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen [anyone] greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12. ’From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13. ’For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14. ’And if you are willing to accept [it], John himself is Elijah who was to come. 15. ’He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16. ’But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other [children], 17. and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18. ’For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19. ’The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’ 20. Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21. ’Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22. ’Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in [the] day of judgment than for you. 23. ’And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24. ‘Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in [the] day of judgment, than for you.’ 25. At that time Jesus said, ’I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from [the] wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26. ’Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27. ’All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal [Him]. 28. ’Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29. ’Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30. ‘For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’

The Seasons of the Soul: Consolation and Desolation

The journey of spiritual formation is rarely a smooth, upward trajectory. Spiritual writers, such as Saint John of the Cross with his concept of the “dark night of the soul,” have long recognized the cyclical nature of spiritual experience. These cycles can be broadly categorized into seasons of consolation and seasons of desolation.

Consolation refers to periods of profound spiritual joy, a palpable sense of God’s presence, and an abundance of spiritual life. Such seasons are often characteristic of new believers, who experience an initial fervor and excitement in their faith. While inherently good, a potential pitfall of consolation is the tendency to conflate the feeling of joy with the presence of God. This can lead to a reliance on emotional experiences as the primary indicator of spiritual health, fostering a love for God for pleasure’s sake rather than for God’s sake alone.

In contrast, desolation describes periods of spiritual dryness, a perceived absence of God, and a lack of passion or excitement in one’s faith. During these times, prayer may feel empty, worship uninspiring, and scripture lifeless. It is crucial to understand that this perceived absence is not an actual absence. For those in Christ, the Holy Spirit remains ever-present, a seal and guarantee of their inheritance. Desolation, therefore, can be a period of deepening relationship, where faith is refined beyond sensory experience.

Historical and biblical figures frequently experienced such “wilderness” periods, from Jesus’s temptation in the desert to Moses’s wanderings, David’s trials, and Paul’s time in Arabia. These were often crucible moments for spiritual growth and maturity. As Thomas Merton observed, God, who is omnipresent, never truly leaves; He may seem more present when absent than when overtly felt. This perspective challenges believers to trust in God’s unwavering presence, regardless of immediate emotional or spiritual sensations.

Growth in the Wilderness

During seasons of desolation, specific temptations often arise. First, individuals may feel guilty, assuming something is inherently wrong with their faith or spiritual practice. This guilt can be unfounded, as desolation can be a divinely orchestrated phase of growth. Second, a common response is to “work harder” to recapture the lost feeling of consolation, treating faith as a set of actions that will manipulate God into providing a desired emotional state. This approach overlooks the relational nature of faith and God’s sovereignty.

Third, when the expected “reward” of spiritual joy is absent, individuals may reduce their spiritual practices, such as Bible reading or prayer. This demonstrates a focus on the feeling rather than the purpose of these disciplines. Engaging with scripture, for instance, is not primarily for emotional gratification but for encountering God and discerning His truth, even when the experience is dry. Finally, some may succumb to the temptation to quit altogether, deconstructing their faith because it no longer “works” in the way they expect, equating “working” with “feeling good.”

True faith, however, is not anchored in mutable feelings but in the immutable character of God, known through revelation, not solely by the senses. The Christian life is an undulating path, not a constant ascent. There will be times of vibrant joy and times of profound dryness. In both, God is present and at work, seeking to cultivate a love for Him for His own sake. The Psalms offer powerful examples of this dynamic, with David expressing deep anguish and a sense of abandonment, yet ultimately reaffirming his trust in God’s lovingkindness.

Psalms 77 (NASB)

1. For the choir director; according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. My voice [rises] to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice [rises] to God, and He will hear me. 2. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted. 3. [When] I remember God, then I am disturbed; [When] I sigh, then my spirit grows faint. Selah. 4. You have held my eyelids [open]; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5. I have considered the days of old, The years of long ago. 6. I will remember my song in the night; I will meditate with my heart, And my spirit ponders: 7. Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again? 8. Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has [His] promise come to an end forever? 9. Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah. 10. Then I said, ‘It is my grief, That the right hand of the Most High has changed.’ 11. I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12. I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds. 13. Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God? 14. You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. 15. You have by Your power redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. 16. The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were in anguish; The deeps also trembled. 17. The clouds poured out water; The skies gave forth a sound; Your arrows flashed here and there. 18. The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook. 19. Your way was in the sea And Your paths in the mighty waters, And Your footprints may not be known. 20. You led Your people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalms 88 (NASB)

1. A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director; according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You. 2. Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry! 3. For my soul has had enough troubles, And my life has drawn near to Sheol. 4. I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit; I have become like a man without strength, 5. Forsaken among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And they are cut off from Your hand. 6. You have put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in the depths. 7. Your wrath has rested upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah. 8. You have removed my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an object of loathing to them; I am shut up and cannot go out. 9. My eye has wasted away because of affliction; I have called upon You every day, O LORD; I have spread out my hands to You. 10. Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the departed spirits rise [and] praise You? Selah. 11. Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? 12. Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? 13. But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. 14. O LORD, why do You reject my soul? [Why] do You hide Your face from me? 15. I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on; I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome. 16. Your burning anger has passed over me; Your terrors have destroyed me. 17. They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether. 18. You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are [in] darkness.

Psalms 13:1-2 (NASB) For the choir director. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [Having] sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Psalms 13:5 (NASB) But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

Conclusion

Embracing the gospel over time involves two critical understandings: first, learning to walk by the Spirit, submitting to divine leadership rather than relying on self-effort; and second, navigating the natural ebbs and flows of spiritual experience, recognizing seasons of consolation and desolation as integral to growth. The journey of sanctification is a process of retraining, of learning to yield to the Spirit’s promptings even when it feels awkward or counter-intuitive to the flesh’s ingrained patterns. Furthermore, maturing in faith requires a steadfast trust in God’s unwavering presence and love, independent of emotional highs or lows. By anchoring faith in God’s character rather than fleeting sensations, believers can experience a rich, if sometimes challenging, relationship with God, allowing Him to deepen their devotion and conform them more fully to the image of Christ.