Wednesday Read: Living in the Already and the Not Yet
Christians live in strange temporal tension - the kingdom of God has come but hasn't fully come. Jesus inaugurated God's kingdom through his death and resurrection, but that kingdom won't be consummated until his return. We live between the "already" and the "not yet," experiencing kingdom realities while awaiting kingdom completion. This creates both hope and frustration.
The "already" includes real spiritual realities. Sin's power is broken (Romans 6:6), though we still struggle with temptation. Death is defeated (1 Corinthians 15:54-55), though we still die. Satan is conquered (Colossians 2:15), though he still prowls. The Holy Spirit dwells in believers (1 Corinthians 3:16), though we don't always experience his presence. These are genuine victories, not future promises - they're true now.
But the "not yet" includes continued struggles. Our bodies still suffer disease and decay. Injustice still crushes the vulnerable. Natural disasters still devastate communities. Evil still proliferates. Death still claims everyone. The world doesn't look like it's under Christ's reign, even though Scripture insists it is. This creates cognitive dissonance - how can death be defeated when people keep dying? How can Satan be conquered when evil continues?
Paul addresses this tension directly: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:22-23). Even Christians with the Holy Spirit groan, waiting for full redemption. We have the "firstfruits" - real but incomplete experience of what's coming.
This is like dawn. When the sun rises, darkness hasn't been completely eliminated - shadows remain, full light hasn't arrived, but darkness is definitively defeated. The outcome is certain even though the process continues. Christ's resurrection was dawn - the decisive victory over death and darkness. His return will be noon - complete manifestation of that victory. We live in the morning, experiencing both lingering darkness and increasing light.
Living in this tension requires specific skills. First, you must learn to trust promises over circumstances. Your circumstances might scream that death wins, evil prevails, suffering has no purpose. God's promises insist otherwise. Faith means believing resurrection is real even when funerals continue, trusting victory is certain even when battles rage. "We live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Second, you must embrace groaning without despairing. Romans 8 repeatedly mentions groaning - creation groans, believers groan, the Spirit groans. Groaning isn't lack of faith; it's honest acknowledgment that the "not yet" is hard. You're allowed to groan over suffering, injustice, death, and brokenness while simultaneously trusting God is making all things new. Groaning and hoping coexist.
Third, you must recognize that the "already" empowers action in the "not yet." Because Christ conquered death, you can face suffering with hope. Because Satan is defeated, you can resist temptation with confidence. Because the Spirit dwells in you, you can love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, persevere through the unbearable. Kingdom realities provide power for kingdom living now, even before kingdom completion.
Fourth, you must avoid two errors. Don't minimize the "already" by treating all kingdom realities as future. The Holy Spirit is really present now. Sin's power is really broken now. You have real access to God now. These aren't just future promises - they're current realities you can experience. Don't live as if Christ's victory is only future; it's present too.
But also don't exaggerate the "already" by expecting complete kingdom fulfillment now. Some Christians teach that sufficient faith eliminates suffering, guarantees prosperity, or ensures perfect health. This ignores the "not yet." Paul, the great apostle of faith, experienced shipwreck, imprisonment, beatings, and eventually execution. His faith didn't exempt him from suffering; it empowered him within suffering.
This week after Easter particularly highlights the already/not yet tension. Jesus rose (already), but you still face mortality (not yet). Death is defeated (already), but people keep dying (not yet). Victory is certain (already), but battles continue (not yet). How you navigate this tension significantly impacts your faith.
The danger is letting the "not yet" eclipse the "already" - becoming so focused on what hasn't happened that you miss what has. Jesus actually rose. Death was actually defeated. Satan was actually conquered. These victories are real even though their full manifestation awaits Christ's return. Your challenge is living in resurrection power (already) while groaning for resurrection completion (not yet).
What helps? Reminding yourself daily of what's already true. Jesus rose. The tomb is empty. Death lost. You're forgiven. The Spirit lives in you. These aren't future possibilities - they're present realities. Then acknowledge what's not yet true. Your body still ages. Evil still operates. Suffering still crushes. Death still claims. Don't deny this reality. Finally, trust that the "already" guarantees the "not yet." Because Jesus rose, you will rise. Because he conquered, victory is certain. The morning promises noon is coming.
