Philippians 2:12b-13 12 Therefore, my dear friends, 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.
Microwaves. On-line college degrees. ATMs. DSL. Bullet trains. So many things in today's society are designed to make life easier, more efficient, and faster. Many times that can be a benefit. But there is also a danger in that mind-set.
A handwritten note is more personal than a text. A conversation trumps a Facebook post for personal connection.
Paul reminds Christians that salvation is not a "get it and forget it" affairs. While the actual act of becoming a child of God is an event, the Christian life requires work, discipline and intentionality. The personal discipleship required of each Christian means giving up some of the ease society tells us we are entitled to.
As a tennis player, I have lost many more matches than I have won, but of those in which I have prevailed the most satisfying victories are the ones that were difficult. Long rallies. Multiple ad games. Tie breakers. While a 6-1;6-2 win may get me home quicker with less odor, the sense of accomplishment is lacking.
The same applies to the Christian life. I believe the joy, power and wisdom available to all Christians are bestowed by God in direct relation to the amount of personal work and dedication we put into growing and maturing as a Christian. This doesn't mean committee work at a church. A once a quarter community service project is probably not the answer. But I believe Paul is referring to personal time alone with God that is disciplined, consistent and at times a struggle.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." How many Christians want to spend the time sharpening the ax?
But we are not responsible for that growth alone. Paul also reminds Believers that it is God in us who is the catalyst for personal change. It is God who "works in us". Our responsibility is to make ourselves available on a daily basis to him so he can "will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
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