"Therefore, 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, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you will shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not labor for nothing. But even if I am poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me." (Philippians 2:12-18).
As I sat down and read this passage of Scripture, I started to do a lot of thinking. In this letter to the Philippians, Paul addresses us today, just as much as he did the believers in his day. He encourages us to "work out" our salvation with fear and trembling. He tells us not to complain or argue. He longs for us to shine like stars, that people might see the Lord in and through us. And, he tells us to be glad and to rejoice!
For many of us, when we hear the words "work out" we get a little nervous. I like to workout...but, I'm not always motivated to get on the treadmill or jump in the pool or pump some iron. Now, I know that Paul isn't telling us to "workout" in the whole going to the YMCA nature, but he is telling us to work. The Christian life calls for us to be active participants in ministry, missions, fellowship, worship, and discipleship. Working out our salvation requires some participation. Basically, Paul is telling us he doesn'twant us to be spiritually weak. He wants us to actively pursue our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
And he tells us to do this with out arguing and complaining...Are you kidding me? Arguing and complaining just happen to be two of my spiritual gifts! Of course I'm just kidding. But, getting to the point where wer'e not arguing and complaining truly takes work. It takes us pursuing humility, patience, gentleness, kindness, compassion, and things like this. He encourages us to do this so we would shine like stars.
In our "crooked and depraved generation," we need Christians that will faithfully work out our salvation...together. We need Christians that will shine like stars in order that the world might come to know the One who has the power to wash away our crookedness.
As we head into Easter, I want to encourage you to examine your life and see what you can do each day to "work out your salvation." How can you shine like a star in our community? Then, when we come together, we can be glad and rejoice together!
As I sat down and read this passage of Scripture, I started to do a lot of thinking. In this letter to the Philippians, Paul addresses us today, just as much as he did the believers in his day. He encourages us to "work out" our salvation with fear and trembling. He tells us not to complain or argue. He longs for us to shine like stars, that people might see the Lord in and through us. And, he tells us to be glad and to rejoice!
For many of us, when we hear the words "work out" we get a little nervous. I like to workout...but, I'm not always motivated to get on the treadmill or jump in the pool or pump some iron. Now, I know that Paul isn't telling us to "workout" in the whole going to the YMCA nature, but he is telling us to work. The Christian life calls for us to be active participants in ministry, missions, fellowship, worship, and discipleship. Working out our salvation requires some participation. Basically, Paul is telling us he doesn'twant us to be spiritually weak. He wants us to actively pursue our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
And he tells us to do this with out arguing and complaining...Are you kidding me? Arguing and complaining just happen to be two of my spiritual gifts! Of course I'm just kidding. But, getting to the point where wer'e not arguing and complaining truly takes work. It takes us pursuing humility, patience, gentleness, kindness, compassion, and things like this. He encourages us to do this so we would shine like stars.
In our "crooked and depraved generation," we need Christians that will faithfully work out our salvation...together. We need Christians that will shine like stars in order that the world might come to know the One who has the power to wash away our crookedness.
As we head into Easter, I want to encourage you to examine your life and see what you can do each day to "work out your salvation." How can you shine like a star in our community? Then, when we come together, we can be glad and rejoice together!
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