Resolved: That I will not consent to apathetic behavior, resulting in regression, but in everything I will strive for sanctification through the Spirit.
"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." ~ Philippians 2:12-13
"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" ~ I Corinthians 10:31
From the moment of my salvation up to today and for the rest of my life I am under the glorious grace of God. It is by this grace that I am saved. It is by this grace that I have been blessed with everything I have. It is by the gracious blood of Jesus Christ that I can have life and have it in abundance. But it is also because of this grace that I must labor and strive. As born again followers of Christ, we are sovereignly adopted by God and we are sustained and kept according to the kind intention of His will. So then we must glorify Him with our lives. Paul writes these words in Philippians immediately following one of (if not the) greatest image of who Christ was/is and what he did/is doing for us. So then (therefore, hence, ergo, etc.) because of who Christ is and what he has offered us; let us actively worship Him with our lives.
The universe, completely and solely, exists to bring glory to God. This includes all of our lives. The life saved by grace exists not just for the benefit of the saved but for the One Who Saves. It is because of this that we, as Christians, must be convicted to live a life that is pleasing and brings glory to God.
The life surrendered to grace is not a passive one, it is a constant, daily, active life. Paul encourages us to continuously work out our salvation (through prayer, scripture meditation, service etc.) There is a unique relationship found in this seemingly contradictory statement in Phl. 2:12-13. We are called to work out our salvation because God is at work. But if God is at work then why do I need to work? Jerry Bridges said it best: "No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part." God in His sovereign wisdom set up a perfect system whereby He is the source of all things (including our sanctification) but He requires effort on our part. How wonderful is He! The Christian life not only can be, or should be, but must be an active life of joyful service.
"At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Therefore we must not consent to apathetic behavior, resulting in regression, but in everything we must strive for sanctification through the Spirit.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment