In regards to Philippians 2:12-13.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. NKJV (my personal favorite for translations)
Working out your salvation (katergazesthe*) does not mean you have to work for your salvation. God forbid! That would put the completed work of the cross that Christ did for us to not. However it does mean diligently take your walk with Jesus serious and take pains to see you are following Jesus closely. With utmost care we take our salvation seriously. This does not omit that there are all kinds of times a Christian goes through on this journey. Indeed after reading, "Pilgrim's Progress" and "Hinds Feet on High Places." my view was illuminated tenfold! Worthy books to read.
* http://concordances.org/greek/katergazesthe_2716.htm
Intimate Thoughts For Reflection
4.09.2012
Let this mind....
Philippians 2: 5-8
I was (and am) studying Philippians right now. I found the verse, "Let this mind be in you as was also in Christ Jesus." and I have been pondering it and asking God what exactly does it mean, in depth. Humbleness and Meekness were outstanding characteristics of Jesus. He took on the sin of all mankind. For all time, past, present, future.
He is the example we need to look to. To emulate. He was perfectly and completely human and God on the earth. He taught us to put others before ourselves. He washed his own disciples feet. He sat with the people and spent time teaching and listening to them. He was not untouchable. Nor unreachable. He is the same now. He is always there for us. Just call out to His name. He is waiting. What an example! What a Lord! He even went as far as to say, "I no longer call you servants, but friends!" See John 15:15. "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
NKJV
He came to serve, to spend time with lowly people. Not rich people, not high minded people but people who were laborers in every day life. People with sinful hearts and they knew they were sinful. They were not covering it up. Once it was exposed they did not defend. I am reminded of Peter who honestly thought he would never forsake the Lord's side. I am reminded of Thomas who doubted and honestly asked for proof to see if this indeed was his Lord who was stating so. I am reminded of the thief even who hung beside him and merely asked to be remembered and was told he would be with the Lord in paradise. Imagine the mercy? Imagine the compassion? Imagine the possibilities there are for us today? To show this in the body. To let God's pure love fill our hearts and lives and not to shun his mercy as though we don't deserve it. It is not about deserving. It is about allowing Him into every crack and crevice of my life, your life. Experiencing the depth I am craving.
I was made aware of one of my flaws of using harsh tones with my words sometimes and it was like light shining into a dark shady spot in my heart and the light exposed it and brought it into plain view. This is freedom. It was not something easy. I am grateful for the Holy Spirit flashlight that shines into those places and illuminates the areas that need more refining and death.
Our freedom was already paid for. Now to accept the gift. The gift is priceless and cannot be paid back.
I was (and am) studying Philippians right now. I found the verse, "Let this mind be in you as was also in Christ Jesus." and I have been pondering it and asking God what exactly does it mean, in depth. Humbleness and Meekness were outstanding characteristics of Jesus. He took on the sin of all mankind. For all time, past, present, future.
He is the example we need to look to. To emulate. He was perfectly and completely human and God on the earth. He taught us to put others before ourselves. He washed his own disciples feet. He sat with the people and spent time teaching and listening to them. He was not untouchable. Nor unreachable. He is the same now. He is always there for us. Just call out to His name. He is waiting. What an example! What a Lord! He even went as far as to say, "I no longer call you servants, but friends!" See John 15:15. "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
NKJV
He came to serve, to spend time with lowly people. Not rich people, not high minded people but people who were laborers in every day life. People with sinful hearts and they knew they were sinful. They were not covering it up. Once it was exposed they did not defend. I am reminded of Peter who honestly thought he would never forsake the Lord's side. I am reminded of Thomas who doubted and honestly asked for proof to see if this indeed was his Lord who was stating so. I am reminded of the thief even who hung beside him and merely asked to be remembered and was told he would be with the Lord in paradise. Imagine the mercy? Imagine the compassion? Imagine the possibilities there are for us today? To show this in the body. To let God's pure love fill our hearts and lives and not to shun his mercy as though we don't deserve it. It is not about deserving. It is about allowing Him into every crack and crevice of my life, your life. Experiencing the depth I am craving.
I was made aware of one of my flaws of using harsh tones with my words sometimes and it was like light shining into a dark shady spot in my heart and the light exposed it and brought it into plain view. This is freedom. It was not something easy. I am grateful for the Holy Spirit flashlight that shines into those places and illuminates the areas that need more refining and death.
Our freedom was already paid for. Now to accept the gift. The gift is priceless and cannot be paid back.
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