Next, Paul puts practical steps into this idea of having Christ’s attitude. First is to continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. The ongoing transition from a Godless life to a Christ-filled life. The technical term is sanctification. It is the process we experience as we come to be like Christ. It is a difficult process because it runs counter to current world culture. Paul reminds us, however, that it is God at work in us that makes sanctification happen. His spirit aligns with ours and slowly makes us over into His image. It is that verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “For if anyone is in Christ, they are new creatures. The old has passed away and behold all things become new.”
The other command for us is to do what we do without grumbling or disputing. It is the idea that as a church we learn to be content in our circumstance and do our lives humbly trusting God to finish the work He has started. It is easy to get frustrated in training. It is easy to doubt, complain and to lose hope. But God is greater than any circumstance, no matter how difficult. We simply have to trust the Lord and follow Him despite the emotion and trial. When we do, we not only honor God but also we honor those who have poured into us all our lives. Help me, Lord to humbly allow You to do the work in me that You have planned and allow me to do it without a bad attitude or complaint.
God Bless You
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, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Walking With God 