Osmosis or On Purpose?

I was raised in a generation of Christian believers who emphasised the grace of God and I am most grateful.  Looking back, perhaps this strong emphasis was in response to legalism and the error of a works-based salvation.  I remember many times being taught the fruit of the Spirit is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit within a born-again follower of Jesus Christ.  This is true.  Whilst it is true that striving to do through the flesh what only God can do through the Spirit is futile, the opposite error can creep into the hearts and minds of Christians:  we do not need to be intentional or sometimes take drastic steps in obedience to the Holy Spirit or God's Word.  Paul subjected his flesh under the Holy Spirit as a slave driver, and then he disciplined himself to live a holy life of obedience to God.  I see in Paul an intentional approach that for much of my early walk might be better described as "passive carelessness."  I suspect I'm not the only one.

Inner transformation does not occur without being intentional.  No one is "born-again" by their proximity to Christians, but through an identity received by a conscious decision made to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour.  If this is true of our justification, then also our sanctification progresses through intentionally humbling ourselves before God, repenting, obeying, and putting into practice what God is teaching us through His Word.  As convenient as it might be, it is folly to think I will bear fruit for God's glory without any intentional action or effort on my part.  I suppose you could say in my youth I unwittingly ascribed to an "osmosis" model of Christian living.  The New Websters College Dictionary defines osmosis in these ways: "1) the tendency of a solvent to pass through a semipermeable membrane, as the wall of a living cell, into a solution of higher concentration, so as to equalize concentrations on both sides of the membrane; 2) the diffusion of fluids through a membrane or porous partition; 3) an apparently effortless absorption of ideas, feelings, attitudes, etc."

The concept of "Christian osmosis" (though only through looking back can I see it) basically goes like this:  the Holy Spirit living inside of me will make me so holy, loving, and kind that the world will notice a difference.  Into the void of their empty lives the power of the Holy Spirit will flow from my life, and they will be drawn to salvation in Jesus - without me needing to do or say anything practical or intentional.  After all, it is God's work, right?  The problem with the "osmotic" approach to fruitfulness is it is unbiblical.  There is nothing effortless about the Christian walk.  It is a narrow path, an upward call, a battle, something we must intentionally discipline ourselves to faithfully continue.  In 2 Timothy 2, Paul compared the walk of a Christian to a soldier, an athlete competing for the prize, and a farmer who labours in the sun.  It takes time and effort to examine our lives and motives according to scripture.  It is work to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus.  It's true we can only do these things through the power of the Holy Spirit, for in our flesh dwells no good thing.  But it's also true that we will not be changed or be fruitful until we make sacrifices and take practical steps to put off the old man, be renewed in the Spirit of our minds, and put on the new man (Ephesians 4:20-24).  If you have any doubts concerning this, read the New Testament.  The fact God has given us grace does not mean He is unworthy of our labour!  There are countless exhortations for us to do things which only God can do, but they won't be done unless we agree and take practical steps to cooperate in submission to the Holy Spirit.

I went to Awanas as a kid and memorised Ephesians 2:8-9.  Because the verses were printed in our workbooks separate from the Bible, it was not until adulthood that I learned and began to put verse 10 into practice!  Many Christians hold fast to an Ephesians 2:8-9 theology, but have not fully embraced an Ephesians 2:8-10 lifestyle.  Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  Salvation is a free gift from God Christians receive.  Yet we have been saved for a purpose, created in Christ Jesus for good works.  These works are done only when we submit ourselves to God and walk in them.  Walking (aside from the odd sleepwalker here or there!) is an intentional action.  It involves us struggling to our feet, deciding where we will go, and then putting one foot in front of the other until we reach our destination.  Blessed are those who endure to the end and purposefully perform the good works God has created people to do.

There is nothing passive or osmotic about the Christian walk.  It is a life defined by identity in Christ, intentionality in obedience, and persistence in discipline.  It is a labour of love that is the most fulfilling existence, satisfying beyond comprehension.  Have you entered into the good works God has prepared beforehand for you to walk in?  By His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can!