I think we tend to complicate Christian living many times. This morning I dug into the book of Philippians. It took a while for me to finish the first chapter, it’s just so rich with principles of motivation and encouragement – its builds such a driving force to complete the assignment God has given us.
But then comes chapter two. The first eighteen verses paint a picture of the simplicity and unfussiness of living our lives free of human motive contamination and pure service of worship. As I read, the conviction of the Lord began to once again, make a call for change. The first eleven verses of chapter two make a challenge to live life in humility without selfish ambition. And that’s really a stone I’ve been chipping away at for a long time. I believe it’s the “Achilles heel” to all men and women who lead congregations or serve in the public eye.
And then came verse 12-13…. “12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Our relationship with God (our salvation) must be “worked out” but not unless God “works in.” In other words, when we “work out” (to accomplish and achieve) the mandate of true humility and always consider others over ourselves, it positions us to receive God’s grace to continue to “WILL” and “DO” (living in humility and servanthood) according to His good pleasure.
No, we can’t earn our salvation by performing or doing good works. The “work” that Paul was referring to was not the end result of an action rather the motive or incentive of the action. And when those motives are under God’s subjection and humility, then God empowers us, through His Spirit, to continue by the “willing working and doing” that comes from a regulated and policed well free from fleshly contamination and self-aggrandizement.
Anxious to read your thoughts,
Pastor Manny
