WORD from the woods
Philippians 2:12-18
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me."
In this passage, Paul is calling the Philippian church to become more obedient to Christ. This is really the central theme of most of Paul's letters. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, doesn't want us to just play around with the Christian life. Paul says in this passage that we should work out our own salvation with "fear and trembling." This doesn't mean that we are supposed to be terrified of God or of the Christian life, but Paul is making an essential point, that we must take the Christian life seriously! After all, didn't the Creator of the universe come in human form and live among this sinful, broken, and rebellious world to bring us salvation, because he loved us so much? When I sit and ponder the incredible grace of God, it really causes me to take my faith seriously, just as Paul is calling his readers to do here. He goes on to say that it is God who works in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure. God is working in us and changing us through the process of sanctification, to become the men and women that He has called us to be. The Holy Spirit dwelling within us guides our will and our actions more and more as we become more like Christ. God takes great pleasure in this because it glorifies Him! This is all so that we are able to stand strong for Christ in this crooked and twisted world, as "lights in the world" shining brightly for all to see! Paul tells us to hold fast to the word of God until Christ returns, even if we are "poured out as a drink offering" our labor is not in vain if we are working to share the gospel with the world around us. Even when we face the hard trials of life, we should be glad and rejoice in what Christ has done and is continuing to do in us and in the world!
God Bless and have a great week! -Terry-
Philippians 2:12-18
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me."
In this passage, Paul is calling the Philippian church to become more obedient to Christ. This is really the central theme of most of Paul's letters. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, doesn't want us to just play around with the Christian life. Paul says in this passage that we should work out our own salvation with "fear and trembling." This doesn't mean that we are supposed to be terrified of God or of the Christian life, but Paul is making an essential point, that we must take the Christian life seriously! After all, didn't the Creator of the universe come in human form and live among this sinful, broken, and rebellious world to bring us salvation, because he loved us so much? When I sit and ponder the incredible grace of God, it really causes me to take my faith seriously, just as Paul is calling his readers to do here. He goes on to say that it is God who works in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure. God is working in us and changing us through the process of sanctification, to become the men and women that He has called us to be. The Holy Spirit dwelling within us guides our will and our actions more and more as we become more like Christ. God takes great pleasure in this because it glorifies Him! This is all so that we are able to stand strong for Christ in this crooked and twisted world, as "lights in the world" shining brightly for all to see! Paul tells us to hold fast to the word of God until Christ returns, even if we are "poured out as a drink offering" our labor is not in vain if we are working to share the gospel with the world around us. Even when we face the hard trials of life, we should be glad and rejoice in what Christ has done and is continuing to do in us and in the world!
God Bless and have a great week! -Terry-