Phil 2:12 ~ 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.
Our labor is not in vain. Surrender what we are wealthy in and where poverty has taken over us. It's a little harder to surrender what we don't have but the disciples did it in John 6. Jesus asked Phillip: Where can WE buy bread not where can YOU buy bread. We may be working out our own salvation but we are not acting alone. It is His Power at work in you. The disciples had nothing to give to feed the 5,000 men (20,000 people total). A little boy gave what he had: 2 fish and 5 loaves of barley. Surrender your poverty this day to the One Who is mightily at work in you.
Surrendering what we don't have--beautiful concept, Bev. Truly in poverty, surrendered to Christ, is where we find our greatest Strength.
ReplyDeleteThis is from Rick Warren's "How to Grow" using today's verses:
How to work out our salvation-
In our relationship with God – treasure unity (Phil. 2:1-2)
In our attitude to ourselves – learn humility (Phil. 2:3)
In our relationships with others – serve willingly (Phil. 2:4-5)
This morning Lindsay said her memory verse is Phil 2:12-13. It challenged me (1) because it was the very verse I had just read in our New Testament readings today and (2) because they are learning the CORE verses for believers.
Working out our salvation is one of those expressions similar to "live in a manner worthy of the Gospel." (Phil 1:27) How do we do it? WE do it best with what we DON'T have--the poverty of soul that looks to Christ for infilling. It is then that He can work within us both in our attitude and in our work for His good pleasure.
"8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
ReplyDeleteHow do you react to Christ's example of humility?
I talk to much, when I should listen more.
I get embarrassed easily, and probably avoid a lot of things that I should participate in.
I've been known to be a tad demanding...expecting others to please me instead of me wanting to put them first.
I've grumbled.
I've complained.
I've quit when I didn't get my way.
Lord knows I need Christ's example of humility to show me a better way. I know I'm trying my best to allow Him to change me.
There is something very personal about what's written here...it's just for me...
Christ was humbled and God exalted Him.
Sounds like I need to hide that in my heart so that I might not sin against Him.