Work out your own salvation (2)

Dearly Beloved. I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. God is awesome. He is an awesome God, friend, teacher, leader, mentor, encourager, everything. He does not tell us to do something without providing us the means to do it. Indeed, we are told that in temptation, God would not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear but will always provide a way of escape for us (1 Corinthians 10:13). Yesterday, we looked at how we are encouraged to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. The very next verse after that tells us God’s role in that – “Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him. For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants” (Philippians 2v12-13, TLB). The AMPC of verse 13 says “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”

 

We see a similar sentiment expressed in 1 Corinthians 15v10 (TPT) where Paul writes “But God’s amazing grace has made me who I am! And his grace to me was not fruitless. In fact, I worked harder than all the rest, yet not in my own strength but God’s, for his empowering grace is poured out upon me.” Indeed, God is the One who makes us who we ought to be and provides the grace and strength for us to do that which would be pleasing to Him. Hallelujah.

 

Prayer

We pray from Hebrews 13v20-21 (AMPC): “Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).”