"SALVATION THAT WORKS
Philippians 2:12-16 says it's wisdom for us to work out our own salvation. The implication is that God has already worked in us what we are to work out. We stand committed to conviction that salvation is not by works, but by grace and faith (Eph. 2:8,9). Yet, throughout scripture, after a believer comes to Jesus, life is always represented by a life of struggle and combat; pardon me, but plain old work. Work means to reach a goal or extend to the fullest. Several examples: (1) 'So run...' - I Cor. 9:24; (2) 'So fight...' - I Cor. 9:26; (3) 'Striving according to His working...' - Col. 1:29; (4) 'I press toward...' Phil. 3:14 (5) 'Give all diligence...' - II Peter 1:10. The point is that your salvation going to involve cooperation and personal effort on your part. There are two problems we face:
1. Being Responsible - Philippians 2:13
Some people say, 'Well if God is at work in me, then if I don't have a desire to work it out, then is must not be God.' Example: I am involved with a married man; I've been told it's not right. But I prayed and asked the Lord to take the love for [the man] out of my heart, but He didn't. I conclude by that that it must be God that I continue my relationship. 'If He's not working it in me, I can't just work it out.' When it comes to sin, people say, 'Well I'm just not mature enough to yet to overcome that, or I guess I just haven't arrived yet.' They're saying, 'If God doesn't do it in me, I can't work it out.' That's great license to sin. God has established a point of destiny for us. Now who determines whether we get there? We do.
2. Being restored - Philippians 2:14,15
There are four significant things involved in coming to a complete end:
1. Do all without murmuring - without distrust
2. Do all without disputing - comes from pride
3. Be blameless - someone who faces a quickie quiz or test and always has all the answers; you don't fail.
4. Be pure - like metal without alloy, wine without water, unmixed
People say, 'I could work out my salvation if I had not gone through this or through that,' Learn to trust Him.
The result of working it His way is we become a light, or navigating force, to a lost and confused world, and speak a fresh word to thirsty men.
Murming less,
Pastor Ron