Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
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So often it is our perspective that drives our purpose. In the brief passage above we see the word 'work' or 'works' three times. The first time it appears, it refers to the Christian life, the period of time remaining after one has placed faith in Christ and become saved and the time of departure through death to Heaven. "Work out your own salvation" shows that, just as we have come to faith individually, so we have challenge and purpose to be found in our daily lives.
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But verse 12 is followed by verse 13 and this is where our perspective can drive our purpose. As we live through our days, we don't work by ourselves to find fulfillment and life satisfaction. We don't live for ourselves to provide self satisfaction. We are bearers of the active presence of the Lord, who is working within us.
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And He is not at work solely to provide a satisfying life experience for us...He is at work to accomplish and complete His plans and to give Himself "good pleasure".
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Once we have trusted in Christ and renounced self as center, the Lord enters and, as we learn to listen and obey, something beautiful on the eternal stage is produced. No wonder Paul describes our attitude as one of "fear and trembling". We don't fear the problems of living, we are in awe of the true power of God within our very lives.
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blessings!
Rob Smith
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"Death is inevitable. Life is a choice!"
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."
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