WORKOUT
By Rick Mathes
Philippians 2:12 (NASB77) 12 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;
This is not a proof text for the works driven salvation proponents. It only implies that the salvation process is not just justification, the forgiveness of sins. That’s the cause of the pursuit of holiness, sanctification which takes on an effort in partnership with the Holy Spirit to accomplish and exchange of all of you for all of Him.
In the initial experience of receiving the forgiveness all the guile of past sins is erased from the Book of Life. You put your face in the mud, the blood and the tears at the foot of the Cross and beg His forgiveness for you having offended Him. He then forgives you. Guilt should now be gone as you receive the forgiveness and become forgiven: no guilt. If you still have guilt, you have not truly repented of that sin. You are still holding on to it. Let’s go stupid!
You are now released from the power of sin. You insides are lit up like a Christmas tree and the darkness cannot enter and conquer the brilliance of His glory in you. The wrath of God has now subsided and you have the deliverance from any future punishment. Now that is cause to rejoice!
What lessons can we learn from this?
Let’s start with having firmness off faith. We are virgins all over again and have developing faith and trust, the keys to heaven. Doubt and fear are vile sins in the face of God and must be repented of.
Hatred of sin follows love of Jesus. Have you ever hated before? Recapture that emotion momentarily and replace the object of your hate with a hate for the sin that killed Jesus Christ!
Obedience follows belief. It can do no other. When Jesus is Lord becomes Jesus as Lord you are secure in your salvation and not even the gates of hell can prevail against you!
There is no other effect but humility when you look into His eyes and know He knows everything about you. Nothing slips by His notice and He sure doesn’t wink at your favorite sin, He loathes it!
Your contempt of this world will grow in direct proportion to your love for Jesus. Human glory only rewards you with a crown of thorns. So abandon your old self in heart, mind and soul to Him, your only redeemer.
PRESS ON!
Rick Mathes 