Philippians 2:12-13
2 So then, my dear friends… continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.”
Thinking it Through
God’s word tells us to work out our salvation. Salvation here does not refer to our justification before God, but rather our sanctification as we walk with God. When we as Christians try accomplish this, often there is a tendency for us to focus in on the “working out” aspect. We “work out” by creating legalistic boundaries to keep us untainted by the world, forming rules and habits that we believe will make ourselves more righteous, and we keep trying harder and harder in our own strength in order reach our ideals. In approaching working out our sanctification this way, we focus on our plans, our ability and on our timeline.
But God’s word reminds us that it is He who is working in us to give us the power and the desire to work out our sanctification. To be clear, it’s not wrong to form boundaries, rules and habits, and to persevere in them. It does go wrong, however, when it’s no longer initiated and empowered by God. We are to respond to His plan and to rest in His power.
Take a moment and jot down the areas that you believe God is prompting you to become more like Christ. Don’t charge ahead in your own strength and wisdom, but listen for His plan and ask for God’s enablement as you follow His lead.
Mike