I have really missed getting on line and blogging daily. But the days,overseas, are busy. Having 2 teenagers at home will cause any mom to be flourishing with extra activities. ☺ I do however, hope to begin blogging more regularly and my goal is to post every M-W-F. This way I’m hoping that I’ll be able to bring more depth to mine/our study. I think it will also help to keep the blogs shorter. Now I know you will appreciate that !
Let’s Begin:
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Phil. 2: 12-13
Paul is giving some great words of encouragement and even a word of warning; that we need to be aware of what our LIVES are all about. They are not for our own pleasure, not for the pleasure of someone else, not for anyone or anything but for God. The reality is this; that we have a choice to follow after the things of God or not. If we have chosen Christ and the life He has for us then that means we willingly, die to what we want and submit to what HE wants. Phil 2:13 “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Paul wrote in Gal 2 , “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
Gal.2:20-21
Take just a moment and think about this~
Remember back to the day of your Salvation the Sunday school teacher, the youth worker, the friend , parent or teacher? Who ever it was that lead you to the Lord, what would their response be about who you have become today? Would they say it is evident that you are Working out your salvation and that your live is a clear representation of who’s you are in Christ Jesus?
If your response is yes, then you are doing well. But don’t start patting yourself on the back just yet. You have more to do than just merely having the reputation of being a follower of Christ and even though you may have been changed and are living differently there is more yet,…..
If your response is no, they would not see me differently. Then I say to you, Go back to the day of your Salvation – Was your decision one of sacrifice? Taking the step to follow after Christ is a free gift for you but it isn’t free of sacrifice. Making this decision to say: I believe Jesus is the Son of God, who came and died for my sin and that of the worlds, so that I may have a daily relationship with God the Father. So that my life isn’t my own any more but that of His and that I desire to follow after Him for His Glory not mine. To say, He is LORD and I live for Christ rather than for myself. It requires asking Him to forgive you of your Sin, actually it requires us to first see our sin and to realize that it is the sin in us that keeps us from GOD in the first place. Christ had to come and be a living sacrifice so that we might even have the chance to walk with God. So we need to realize this and to confess our sin to God, asking Him for forgiveness. In humbling ourselves and seeking forgiveness we realize that we are unworthy and that we need Christ. WE make a stand to say we no longer live for ourselves but for Christ sake. You may not realize this or you may not have ever been told. But you were created with PURPOSE and God has a plan for your life. You are not here by mistake, nor are you meant to live without Christ. Here are just a few passages that might you might should read. If you aren’t sure you are Saved then I challenge you to consider the road you are on. Life without Christ means life separated from His GRACE, LOVE, MERCY. You will one day bow before the King, Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:10) and when you are face to face with Him it is going to be too late to make the decision to follow Him. Then you will spend an eternity in HELL – separated from Him.
I pray that you will not chose to be separated but rather united with Your Savior. He desires a relationship with you, He desires that none should perish. I pray that you will chose Christ today and then begin a new to walk in the manner for which you were created. It isn’t an easy road the word speaks about suffering for Christ Sake. But the life we life in Christ is full of blessings as well. The greatest one being that we are promised an eternity with Him.
Rom. 3:10:11; Rom. 5:8; Rom. 10:9-11,13; 1 John 1: 5-10; Gal.2:10; John 17:1-4; Gal. 5:16-24 ; Eph.5: 1-21 I could go on and on but this will hopefully begin you on the right road to understanding what it truly means to be saved and to live a life for Christ.
So maybe you need to stop here and consider where you are? The point of these questions isn’t to get side tracked but what Paul is talking about is that He has seen in these men and women a TRUE conversion, their salvation is being lived out daily. They are choosing to walk in obedience to the Word of God and the Truth. Their lives are living examples of this.
This is a great reminder for us all. You know when I read the Word of God, I’ll often read it not as to someone else but as if it were written to “melissa”.
Paul continues: “Do all things without grumbling, or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life,” Phil. 2:14-15
You know I love the bible because it is really and example for us all. I have really thought a lot about this verse and others that talk about grumbling and disputing or arguing. What I’ve realized as I’ve read is that there is nothing wrong with standing up for what you believe and for your convictions. Jesus did this and he spoke the Word and continued on in His ministry. How often though do you see that happen? Someone always feels that they need to win. What I’ve personally experienced is that those who are trying to live out their salvation in the way of Laws and traditions, feel the GREAT need to persuade everyone to do the same. Why? Because they feel insecure with their choice of life if others aren’t also doing it. So then they argue, debate, point fingers, and become contentious. You know Jesus was confident of what his purpose was, he was secure in who he was, he set the example and didn’t ever say how he felt but rather based his actions/speach on those of the FATHER- on the Word of God. I think it is a fine example for us all to follow.
As Christians we will run into those who are lost who want to find error in our belief in Christ Jesus and our choice to follow after Him. But we have nothing to grumble about or dispute. Just proclaim the truth if they won’t believe then move on and do not carry on in the discussion. It will only lead to more problems and disputes - Proverbs 10:19 says “ When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
The point is that you are walking in way that is worthy of our Lord and that you are Light in a dark world. It matters only that you are walking according to the Word. I love how Paul writes in the first part of Phil. 2: 14 “ Hold fast to the Word of Life” …. This is truly the key. Let your speech be from the Word and let the Word work it’s way in the hearts of those who seek to grumble and dispute.
Paul wraps up with this word:
“ So that I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.”
Phil 2: 15:18
What we really need to do is this:
* obey the word of God and hold fast to it ; let it be what drives us to what is right so that our work may not be in vain.
* we need to be careful as we do this to not grumble and dispute so that our testimony and our lives; may be found pure and blameless.
* that we may strive to be blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in a world that is dark and full of perversion.
* we can’t hope to do this if we are not Children of God, who aren’t just hearers of the Word but that we are Obedient to the Word, Doers of the Word.
* we can expect then to suffer for the sake of Christ, for the way we live but let us not lose heart but rather find joy in each others suffering because it is considered a worthy cause.
Lord, thank you for how Your Word changes us. I pray Lord as I live out today that I will be mindful of this word today. I pray you would forgive me for grumbling, for disputing. I confess it is from my own fleshly desires that I do these things and that it is a direct reflection that I am trying to live my life in my own strength instead of depending on You. Lord, forgive me – help me to stand firm in what I know. To walk in the truth and to desire your ways rather than mine.
I pray for all those who read this blog that you would bless them and encourage them. That they would be forever changed by the reading of your Word. May they hold fast to it and live by it so that You may be Glorified in Them…..
May we be a light in this world – May the lost see You in Us and be drawn to have a relationship with You, our LORD and Savior….. Jesus Christ!
It is in Your name I pray,
the Name of Jesus…..
Amen…….
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