Joy — Philippians 2 – Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
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. (ESV)
I don’t know about you, but going to the gym is not on my list of top favorite things to do. I understand the benefits of exercise, but it’s hard, lonely, and awkward. Yet, it keeps pain at bay and opens doors to participating in things I couldn’t do otherwise. I had a phone call with a good friend the other day and mentioned something about going to the Y. She told me, “It took you long enough! You’ve literally been saying you need to exercise for the last eight years.”
She’s not wrong.
In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul exhorts the church at Philippi to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” He’s encouraging them to not just accept salvation, but to wrestle with the implications of their salvation and to process through the ways that salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone changes the way they live their lives.
How does Jesus change the way you live your life?
Have you wrestled with the different ways His sacrifice affects how you approach your work? Your conversations? Your downtime? Your home?
When we meet Jesus, He changes everything.
Our lives can’t look the same, because they aren’t the same.
Yes, our God is gracious, and sometimes it takes decades to uncover enough layers of our own pride to hand something back to God. But when we take the time and effort to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, Paul says, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
We were never meant to work for our salvation. That job is done. Jesus settled that on the cross. But when we seek to know God, read His Word, and ask for wisdom and discernment to wrestle with the implications of our salvation, God works in us, for His will and His good pleasure.
APPLICATION
Since grace is opposed to earning and not effort, take a few minutes to write out some of the ways you've found yourself working for your salvation rather than working out your salvation. Share that list with an accountability partner or trusted friend this week and ask them to pray specifically for you.
PRAYER
Lord, my life is forever changed by You. Show me how Your grace and the salvation You offer change the way I ought to live my life. Work in me for Your will and Your good pleasure. You are sovereign, Lord. Amen.
