Hold Fast - 1Corinthians 15:1-2

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 ESV 

 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain.

Most translations seem to imply that the gospel says that we are saved as a done deal, and in a way that is true.  It is often translated in the past tense, but the Greek uses the present tense. Our salvation is ongoing and something that is being done to us. 

For example the NIV translates these verses:

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 NIV 

 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

The ESV uses the phrase "are being saved", which reflects its present tense. We are in fact being saved "if" we hold on to the word.  This is our work, that we cling to His word and endure so we will not be ashamed when He returns. 

We are a work in progress as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  Responding to "if" in the way we live according to His word is our testimony of Jesus.  As we keep going to Him, He keeps growing in us until we reach the full measure of His stature.