Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
Philippians 2:12-13
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.
Whenever we start a new year so often we think about things like getting in shape and eating right. Diet and exercise usually sit at the top of our priority list for changes that need to happen. Physical health and fitness takes hard intentional work. I saw an ad on television recently that said you could follow this certain guy’s weight loss plan which allowed you to eat for the most part what you wanted and not exercise and still lose 20 pounds in a month. That guy ought to be arrested and thrown in jail for false advertising! Are you kidding me?! If you want to be physically fit and healthy you have to eat right and exercise a little every week.
The same is true for your walk with Christ. You cannot enjoy a deep and intimate walk with Christ Jesus unless you discipline yourself to study His Word, seek Him in prayer, and apply what He says to your life. Paul said here, to the church at Philippi, they had to work out. Specifically, he said we must work out our salvation. This doesn’t mean we work our way to heaven. If that were true the cross of Christ would not have been necessary. Salvation comes by repentance of sin and faith in the Lord Jesus. Working out your salvation means obeying what the Lord tells us to do through His Word and prayer. Did you see it here? He said work out because God is working in. The Lord is now at work in your through His Spirit, so work out what He’s working in. He’s convicting us of sin, calling us to share His word with others, commanding us to give and serve, and comforting us with His Holy Spirit. All that stuff He’s working in us needs to come out so the world can see the glory of God!
So, let’s get to work! Starting right now, let’s commit together to get in the Word until it gets into us this new year. Let’s commit to pray until God moves. Let’s commit to keep sharing until we see that neighbor or co-worker come to Christ. Let’s work out what the Lord has worked within us!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for saving me. Help me today to work out what you are working in me. Help me to die to myself and come alive to you. Help me obey you today. In Jesus name, amen.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.