Proverbs 10.30
“The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.”
As with other proverbs, this verse has a layered meaning. The first order meaning is that the righteous will be secure in the land of Israel, but the wicked will not. The second order meaning is that the true followers of Christ are steadfast, strong, and consistent in how they live and work.
Christians — those who trust in Jesus — are secure in their relationship with God. I encourage you to read through the first three chapters of the book of Ephesians, and notice the many descriptions of what it means to be “in Christ.”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” (Ephesians 1:3-4)
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” (Ephesians 1:7-8)
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-6)
Note that people who have trusted in Jesus are “sealed with the Holy Spirit” which is the “guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.” In other words, we are secure in our relationship with Jesus. Having trusted in him, we are “in Christ” and we are secure in the position.
Having said that, our responsibility is to make sure our practice aligns with our position. That is the great challenge of the Christian faith. Disobedience does not compromise our position in Christ; it compromises our practice, and thus our fruitfulness and effectiveness.
It is possible to be saved, but ineffective.
Be obedient to the God who saved you. Rejoice in your salvation, and then respond in obedience. Be faithful.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
