Posts for Tag : faith

What to Do in Time of Crisis  0

 May 27, 2020  

We may be faced with crisis or situations that threaten us at one time or another. We may be unable to avoid such an event or even do something about it.

How should we respond in such a time?

For even though we may not be able to do something, responding is a natural human instinct. We just feel we must do something even when we don’t know what.

The world faces a situation that threatens all of us right now. Virtually every country is prepared for the possibility of a conventional war with some other country. Many countries spend a disproportionately higher proportion of their wealth on preparing for such wars. Some even foment troubles in other countries so as to be able to sell and test their weapons to both sides in such conflicts.

Oftentimes, our responseto the problem or difficulty is the problem and not the crisis confronting us. This is because of the attendant anxiety and fear which make us prone to inappropriate response. We become so strung up with fear that we may not even realise that our response to the problem is inappropriate or outrightly wrong and counterproductive.

Hence, our response to the problem may become a major complication of the already bad situation. And so our response to the problem is the problem and not the crisis confronting us. Our attitude is crucial in any situation, more so, in crisis situations.

Our attitude in time of Crisis

Generally, believers in Christ respond to crisis in one of several ways:

  • Some cover up the problem hoping that it will just go away.
  • Some give up. Claiming that it is God’s will, or the enemies are this time just too powerful and God will not do anything either.
  • Some deny they have a problem. They believe or have been taught that admitting to having a problem is confessing negatively or a sign of lack of faith. They have not learnt that Christianity is not positive confession but relationship with the creator of the universe.
  • Some panic and want to end it all by doing some terrible things. and in the process act out of impulse. Such acts often lead to unpleasant consequences.
  • Few pray.

Effect of the attitude

Very often it is not the crisis that destroys the person, but what the person does: Whether he acts or Does not act. And whatever he acts are all responses.

For those who belong to the LORD, our attitude is a measure of the health of our relationship with God. The closer you have walked with the LORD, the closer your attitude will reflect the rectitude of those who are abiding under the shadow of the Almighty.

The attitude of the believer in Christ is a reflection of his level of spiritual growth.

It is common for many people to claim to have little faith and then be asking God for more faith during a crisis. But oftentimes the person claiming to have a little faith has yet to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord. He is still outside the circle of the people of God. Rather than asking for more faith in the person he does not know, the right thing for such a person to do is to come to the place of repentance and then be saved by the Lord before he can begin to think of faith whether great or little.

But for those who are already believers in Christ, it is the exercising in the spiritual disciplines and being regularly in the word and the ministration of the Holy Spirit that help us to grow in faith as we advance in spiritual growth. This presupposes having a habit of putting God first in all that we do. Then at the time of crisis we know where to turn. King Jehoshaphat of Judah can be cited as a case in point (2Chr 20:1-13). 

In time of crisis check and ensure you have an attitude of prayer

Our status in time of crisis

This then brings us to the issue of our status before God.

Who are you before God, His child or His enemy?

We must have a God, not just believe there is a God. We must have been reconciled to Him [born-again] and in right relationship with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The demons believe there is God and tremble (Jam 2:19), a belief that has not led them to repentance and willing obedience to God. It is also not about moralising, claiming that you do good to others and are harming no one. Any moralist not reconciled to God is heading towards hell unless he repents and is reconciled to God soonest (Isa 64:6).

So, you should not flippantly claim a relationship with Christ. It will not only be a worthless exercise but can be dangerous as you are only luring yourself into false security. Rather, examine yourself not by your feelings but by the word of God to see if you are genuinely in faith with Christ as your Saviour and Lord.

If any of us believers in Christ having God as our Father is out of fellowship because of sin, we should repent of such and be reconciled to Him immediately. It is through confessing and repenting as we forsake the sin that we then receive pardon and are reconciled to and are back in fellowship with the Lord (1John 1:8-9).

Believers in Christ are not insulated from challenges of life. Indeed the word of God tells us that challenges are part of being a follower of Christ.

As believers in Christ in this time of global crisis of corona virus pandemic with individual and personal ramifications,or indeed during any crisis, we should not give room to fear. Notice that I did not say do not be afraid. This is because we have not to pretend, we all fear sometimes, especially in times of crisis. And right now there is an atmosphere of fear prevailing over the whole world, so thick, it can be cut with a knife!

The children of God are commanded,

“Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid” (Isa 8:12).

This is especially important as if as a follow-up to this we are further told,

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2Tim 1:7).

What is important is what we do for that is what shows whether we are beginning to give room to fear or not. We must focus our attention and not allow ourselves to be distracted. Particularly at this time our focus should be on God, especially on three of the traits of God as they concern our relationship with our God: His power, His character, and His promise.

Yes, come to God having faith in the power of God, Faith in God’s character, and Faith in God’s promise.

Believe that you are still a child of God in spite of the problem. The crisis is not a sign that God has left you.

Three traits of God

According to the word of God, there is no situation that we may face that God does not already know about. Why we may be surprised or even shocked to numbness because of the suddenness and seriousness of a situation, our God is never caught unawares or unprepared. We have an all-knowing and all-able God who is our loving Father.

We are to therefore approach Him on the basis of relationship. He is our Father and we are members of His earthly household. Our God is infinitely better in every aspect than even the best of earthly fathers at his best.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16).

We come to our Father in humility and deep reference having:

  • Faith in the power of our God (past, present and future) 
  • Faith in the character of our God
  • Faith in the promise of God

Faith in the power of God (v.7)

We must have faith in the power of our God (past, present and future). Our God is the God in heaven and on earth. For the avoidance of any doubt as to who our God is:

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Gen 1:1-2).

And

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5).

“21 …..and there is no God else beside me; A just God and a saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God, and there is none else.” (Isa 45:21-22).

We see the demonstration of the faith of Jehoshaphat and the people as he addressed a question to God,

“Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?” (2Chr 20:7).

Of course, the answer is yes, god was the one. In other words, Jehoshaphat was telling God that God defended His people in the past and he believed God was going to deliver them from their current predicament too.

Our God is the Triune God: One God in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Our God rules over all the kingdoms of the earth. In His hand are power and might so that none is able to withstand Him (2Chr 20:6). He will execute judgement upon our enemies. Let it be said that though we may not have power over the horde that come against us (any and all adversaries), we may not know what to do, but our eyes are on our God (2Chr 20:12).

Psalm 91 speaks much about our God and our security in and from Him. We only need to believe and act on that belief: That is faith.

Our God is:

  • A shelter of Strength
  • A refuge of Rest
  • A fortress of Peace where we can rest, be in peace and have living hope from the fears of life.

Look at verses 1 & 2 again.

What do you notice?

That there is something required of us believers. We are to abide.

How do we abide?

The Lord asked a question then which still applies today,

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

And went on to clarify what it means to abide in Him,

“24 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Mat 7:24-27).

We abide by doing the will of God. We must constantly affirm our trust in our God. We cannot love one we do not know. We cannot do God’s will if we do not know and love Him.  

Faith in God’s character (vv.6, 12)

We must have faith in the character of our God (vv.6, 12). The LORD is God in heaven and on earth. He is a covenant keeping God (Deut. 4:39; 1Kgs 8:23; 2Chr 20:6). He has demonstrated in His dealings with His creation that He is consistent and completely trustworthy. And we have the sure testimony of Holy Scripture,

“6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” (Ex 34:6-7).

Jehoshaphat approached God on the grounds of God’s previous record. God has been consistent. He has been and continued to be the God in heaven who has all the power and might. He rules over all the kingdoms and he judges the ungodly. It is God’s character to be consistent and trustworthy.

“and said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?” (2Chr 20:6).

And

“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” (2Chr 20:12).

Our God will judge the ungodly and reward the godly ultimately at the end of the age at the second coming of Christ. Meanwhile He continues to deal with all His creation according to His own counsel. In the final analysis, we do not know the details as to how God makes His decisions about us on day to day basis. He knows how powerful and hateful the wicked are and will not leave us at their mercy (2Chr 20:12).

Our God is all powerful and is never weary. We cannot search out His understanding. He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might He increases strength of those who do not have.

“28  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, That the everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth,            Fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; And to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall:       31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isa 40:28-31).

Our God will supply us with whatever we need to pass through any situation threatening to overwhelm us. Whatever such challenges are they have an expiry sate well known to our God. He will ensure we outlive whatever the scourge may be in the Name of Jesu, Amen.

Faith in God’s promise

We must have faith in God’s promise. God promises to keep us safe (Ps 91:7, 11-12). Everything God says concerning you will come true for He stands by His word to perform what He has spoken. God always stands by His word and hastens to perform it (Jer. 1:12).

And

“10  For as the rain cometh down, And the snow from heaven, And returneth not thither, But watereth the earth, And maketh it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11     So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa 55:10-11).

“7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” (Ps 91:7, 11-12).

All of us believers in Christ should have every confidence in God and trust Him to be true to all His promises to all He has given to His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, our Saviour and our Lord.

Approach God as your Father having faith in His power, character and promise.

We now come to the content of our prayer and this brings us to the actions of king Jehoshaphat

The contents of our prayer (cf. 2Chr 20:1-13)

“1It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi. 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” (2Chr 20:1-3).

Jehoshaphat was a God-fearing king, doing things that pleased God according to the testimony of Holy Scripture (2Chronicle 17:3-6):

“3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; 4 but sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. 6 And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.” (2Chr 17:3-6).

Yet he was confronted by a crisis situation as the people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir united and came against Judah with a great multitude (2Chr 20:1-2). Being a believer in Christ does not always mean we would not have to face crisis situation. As Jehoshaphat faced the great multitude of the enemies, he was afraid but did not give room to fear as he went to God (2Chr 20:3-5).

At the time of a crisis more than any other we need to appraise our prayer life, especially the contents of what we offer to God.

  • Brother, sister, how do you pray?
  • What do you pray?

Please, check again!

To assist us, let us take a closer look at the prayer of king Jehoshaphat as to what we may learn from there.

We observe some basic facts:

Relationship with God

“God of our father” (2Chr 20:6). This speaks of relationship. Christ taught His disciples to start with relationship, “Our Father which art in heaven” (Mat 6:9). Jehoshaphat acknowledged that they belonged to God. The land that their enemies were threatening was a gift of God (v.7). Our relationship with God is paramount. It is the foundation for all else. God is our Father who has adopted us through His Son Jesus Christ. He knows and loves us and will do us good.

“5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?” (2Chr 20:5-6).

Ownership.

Many live with the mind set of “it is my life and I can live anyhow I want. I am the captain of my ship, paddle your own canoe!” And if it so happens that they have a “measure of success”, they say, “I worked hard for my success, I am responsible for my success.” As the word of God makes us to understand, there are those who say in their heart that there is no God and they act accordingly.

But genuine believers would not fall for that fallacy as they know that is far from the truth for there is the God who created all things. Believers in Christ know this God has made them new creatures in Christ (2Cor 5:17). We must acknowledge God’s ownership of us. Our Lord Jesus Christ has purchased us (His church) with His blood. We no longer belong to ourselves but to Him (1Pet 1:18-19; Rev 5:9). As our God, He rules our lives and will not brood any interference from anyone who may want to take over His place in our lives.

The enemies wanted to determine how Jehoshaphat and Judah should live, something that is totally the prerogative of God. Naturally, God would not allow such. Similarly, when problems and situations threaten to overwhelm us, we should recognise God’s ownership of us and plead with Him not to allow such to usurp His place in our lives.

God is our help.

Jehoshaphat asserted that he was turning to God in time of need (vv.8-9).

“8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, 9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.” (2Chr 20:8-9).

As the people of God, we should let God know we are turning to Him in our time of need. We are to draw near to God, “unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

Indictment of the enemy.

Jehoshaphat indicted their enemy for their show of ingratitude. Israel had restrained from attacking these countries (Ammon, Edom and Moab) at the time of the exodus as they encountered them in their wandering in the wilderness (vv.10-11; cf. Num. 20:17-21; Deut. 2:4-5).

“10 And now behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; 11 behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.” (2Chr 20:10-11).

At the commandment of God (Mat 5:44-48), (I do hope we are obeying this difficult command to the best of our ability), believers in Christ have continued to do good to the ungodly and their enemies. It is therefore in order to indict the enemy before God for their ingratitude. Remember that God knows them more than we do, and He is the one to judge them too.

Confession of total dependence upon God.

They admitted and confessed their complete dependence upon God (v.12). We ought to never be too full of ourselves when we come to God. Rather we should be down-to-earth humbling ourselves before His Majesty as we confess our utter dependence upon God to Him.

“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” (2Chr 20:12).

Simple, sincere prayer from the heart

King Jehoshaphat’s prayer had one request: judge them (v.12), one complaint: how they repaid us (v.11), and one confession: we don’t know what to do (v.12). Our prayer should be simple for God looks at the heart not how big are the words we say nor the fluency of our speech. We do not need a speech writer before approaching our God in prayer. We should not only marvel at the simplicity of this prayer but should also try to emulate it.

We are to apply the truth of Holy Scripture to our lives:

We have no power, but our God has unlimited and unlimitable power

When we realise our powerlessness and dependence on God great things will happen. Rather than becoming afraid we should let our powerlessness drive us to God who has all the power and is ever willing to enable us.

Oftentimes God takes away the things we use as crutches, all those things we tend to depend on in place of God. Yes, God will take away all our potential God-replacers, all our false security. Even the best of Christians still has much of the undesirable baggage. And such baggage must be done away with.

Christian growth towards spiritual maturity is the process by which God does away with the excess and undesirable baggage thus breaking down our false security that we have surreptitiously used to replace Him in our lives.

Yes, if need be, God will take away everything else so that we have nowhere to go but to Him. God wants to be the “All-in all” in our lives. It to our advantage and good if we cooperate with His Holy Spirit in His work of consistent continuing sanctification in us. Hear, again what Jehoshaphat said to God, “neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (2Chr 20:12). That is where God wants us to be!

At the risk of sounding like a broken gramophone record, please bear with my repetition. I just think this bears repeating:

Our God is all powerful and is never weary. We cannot search out His understanding. He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might He increases strength of those who do not have.

“28  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, That the everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth,            Fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; And to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall:       31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isa 40:28-31).

Our God will supply us with whatever we need to pass through the pestilence and emerge victorious at the end of it all. Yes, even this Corona virus (Covid-19) that is currently rampaging the world has expiry date known to our God. All of us will outlive the scourge in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Cultivate the worshipful heart

Having a worshipful heart is important especially in the midst of problems. For this to be so, we ought to have been cultivating worshipful heart as part of our daily Christian exercise. It should not be when we face a problem that we are then searching for how to worship.

Worship should be our response from a heart that is grateful to God. If we truly are grateful, then genuine worship will be our response to the mercy He has shown us as we go into the presence of God. And worship will thus be our response as we turn to God in our helplessness in time of trouble.

They worshipped before the battle, during the battle, and after the battle.

That did not happen as a spur-of-the-moment-decision. Rather, it was the result of a cultivated lifestyle of worship!

Such is the state we ought to be too: always in the habit of worship from a heart filled with gratitude to God.

Start now. Do away with the fear in and around you. Enter into the presence of our all-powerful, all-loving and ever willing God. Worship Him with a heart filled with gratitude and not fear. He is merciful and will add His surpassing sufficiency to our insufficiency and see us all through this dangerous and uncertain period.

We shall all be here again to thankfully praise and worship Him after the expiry of whatever crisis you and any of us may be going through right now. 

Again remember,

In time of crisis check and ensure you have an attitude of prayer all through.

Believe that you are still a child of God in spite of the problem. The crisis is not a sign that God has left you.

Approach God as your Father having faith in His power, character and promise.

Let the content of your prayer reflect the situation but focus on God and not on the devil or anyone else you may be blaming.

For the unbeliever

However, if you are not yet a disciple of Christ, if you are not yet born-again, that is what you have to resolved face. Pray to God to save you by confessing the Lord Jesus Christ.

“9 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom 10:9-10).

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom 10:13).

May the LORD accept and grant you salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Christian Conduct, Exhortation, Salvation, Uncategorized , , , , , ,

How are you working out your salvation?  0

 February 16, 2019  

Many believers take the fact that they are Christians for granted. They think that being born again is all there is. They think that once they are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, that is it, the Holy Spirit will do the rest. All they have to do is just relax and enjoy a wonderful ride to heaven. They thus, do not make effort concerning their Christian faith as they should.

A major consequence of this lack of effort is ignorance of the ways of God, and lack of advancement in their Christian character. Many remain infantile when they should be maturing.

Let us see how we can begin to improve in this area today by trying to answer the question:

How are you working out your salvation?

Those who are already saved are commanded to work out their own salvation:

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.” (Phil 2:12)

The whole of this chapter two of the epistle to the Philippians is about the believer in Christ becoming Christlike. So today, we begin to look at the practical ways of becoming like Christ.

We shall therefore use Philippians 2:12 as our learning station.

Wherefore is saying, therefore. It tells us that this is the beginning of a new section and connects this new section to the previous. It is referencing or referring to the obedience and humility of Christ (Phil 2:8), as an example for all believers to follow.

My beloved is a term of endearment showing his love for the Philippians. It shows that they belonged to the same faith as himself.

The believers in Philippi have always obeyed the word of God in the presence of the apostle. The apostle acknowledges that they had always (not occasionally or often), but always obeyed in his presence. That is, he was an eyewitness to their obedience to the apostolic teachings, and thus, obedience of God. This seems to be a commendation and it would have encouraged the Philippian believers.

Do you commend to encourage or to flatter?

We should develop the habit of true commendation for those who are making effort to live true to the Christian faith, and we should resist the urge to flatter.

Genuine commendation shows a person that he is truly appreciated. It will therefore encourage that person to put in more effort to be better.

The usual obedience of the Philippian church was even more important in his absence when he was not there to encourage and instruct them. His presence in addition to encouraging them, would have made it more difficult for those who would otherwise discourage these believers from continuing in their faith.

Does your presence make it easier for other Christians to continue to believe, and live true to the word of God?

Or does your presence make it more difficult for believers around you to continue in faith because you are always negative and do not walk through to the faith?

To “work out your own salvation” is a much misused, and much misunderstood verse of Scripture.

And so, the question arises, “What does it mean to, “work out your own salvation?””

Misinterpretation

Some have interpreted “work out your own salvation” to mean that a person can earn salvation by doing some work. Some have taken it to mean that whatever you consider as salvation is what God will accept for your salvation is determined by you!

But these and many other ideas of man concerning salvation are far removed from salvation as taught by the Holy Bible.

Remember, this letter was written to those who have been saved. They were already believers in Christ. They were already obeying God. So, salvation here does not mean to be born again or to come newly to the Christian faith for they were already Christians. Thus, this verse is not saying they should do something to earn or merit their salvation.

“The kindness of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Tit 3:4-6).

So, if they were already saved (which they were), how were they to work out their own salvation?

The gospel/the word of God is complete

The gospel is a faith delivered once-for-all complete to believers. It is a body of knowledge concerning God, His Son, His Holy Spirit, man, and their relationship.

Nothing can be and should be added to that body of knowledge. They were exhorted to “work out”, not to “work for” their salvation. The believer in Christ “works out his own salvation” by studying that body of knowledge and putting what he discovers there into practice in his own life.

He makes time and effort available to avail himself of opportunities to increase in that knowledge, and to be renewed, and be transformed by the Holy Spirit through the instrument of the word of God (Rom 12:2; Eph. 4:23).

A major goal for the Christian in this world, and as demanded of him by God, is to become Christlike.

To the level that the believer aspires, and strives to be Christlike, walking in obedience according to the light he receives, in his daily living, is he “working out his salvation.”

In other words, walking in obedience, wholeheartedly lending his members to works of righteousness rather than works of unrighteousness, is working out his own salvation. The believer is thus commanded,

“even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Rom 6:19).

Further,

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Rom 6:13).

Rather he is commanded,

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col 3:5).

No one works to save himself/herself

Again, we are told,

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8; see also Eph. 2:5; Rom 3:24).

No one works for their salvation for it is God’s free gift to those who are saved.

These believers in Christ in Philippi were to put into practice what God was working in them by His Holy Spirit. But as children of God they were not obeying and doing works of righteousness to earn their salvation. They were already saved.

Similarly, to them, as children of God, we are not obeying and doing works of righteousness to earn our salvation.

No child of God works to earn his salvation.

Rather, all genuine believers engage in works of righteousness because they are already saved and are children of God. In doing good works, believers are thereby manifesting the character of God, their Father in their walk of obedience to him.

Hear what the word of God says:

“5 and beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Pet 1:5-8).

When you see a child, you see a semblance of his parents in that child.

Similarly, when you see a child of God, you ought to see a semblance of God in him/her.

Can someone see you and see a semblance of Christ in you?

The Lord commanded those who believe in him,

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Mat 5:16).

Remember,

  • This is a life-long journey of continuing and increasing renewal and transformation.
  • It will not be completed in our present existence, so we cannot claim to have attained, but it will be completed at the final glorification.

Let us emulate the apostle Paul who said,

“12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:12-14).

So,

  • Do not think that you have attained anything.
  • Do not think you are now perfect.
  • Redouble your effort to understand why you have been saved.
  • Understand what is expected of you by the Lord.
  • Do not think you understand everything now.
  • Forget those things that are past (both successes and failures).
  • Reach out or make strenuous efforts to do or engage those things set before you.
  • And press with all your strength, and purposefully towards the finished line of the race the Lord has set before you.

None of us is left to go on this journey alone, and on our own. But the lord Himself, His Holy Spirit, the written word, and other genuine believers are there alongside us to help us along the journey. And they will be there until we each run and finish our course in victory.   

The phrase, “with fear and trembling” is not suggesting that the believer should live in the fear and terror of God. Far from it.

Remember, fear has torment, and is not of God. But perfect love, which is of God casts out fear (1John 4:18).

Fear here refers to the fear of the LORD which is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10; Pr. 9:10).

  • It is very important to realise that, having knowledge of the holy is understanding.
  • And all those who do God’s commandments have a good understanding of Him.
  • Hence, we need to make effort to increase in our knowledge of God and of His word.

Love is not above other attributes of God

Many unbelievers and Christians alike tended to over emphasis the love of God over His other attributes especially His righteousness and justice. Because of this perversion, many do not fear God. Many do not think God will punish the wicked.

Many think the wicked, the disobedient and rebellious will somehow escape punishment because “God is love, and God loves.” So, they continue living contrary to God and in rebellion unmindful of the soon-coming wrath of God upon the ungodly. They are the deceived.

God is bound by His Word, by His character

However, we should remember that, though God is Love, and truly loves, He is also righteous and a just judge of the whole earth. He is bound to love as well as to judge righteously.

As he is bound to bless the obedient, He is also bound to punish the disobedient and rebellious. This is amply demonstrated on the pages of Holy Scripture:

The generation that lived in the time of Noah; The people of Sodom, Gomorrah and their environment, Israelites in Egypt, in the wilderness, under the Judges, and in the promised land, Prophet Jonah and the people of Nineveh come to mind.

His whole harmonious character demands that He always lives up to His word. He is faithful even when we are not faithful, and He cannot deny Himself (2Tim 2:13).

Genuine believers reference God

The true believer knows that though he is a member of the house of God and as such he uses family language like Father, child, son, daughter and the like, that God is infinitely higher than himself. He would not and should never become so familiar with God or claim that level of familiarity that makes him equate God with his own earthly parents.

There should always be that understanding that though God is our Father, he is to be respected and honoured at all times in a way that no other human should be. That devotion and reference should come from our love for God as our Father who created us out of love, saved us out of love and all for his pleasure and glory.

Hence, all believers live in referential fear of Him. They know though He is love, that God can be severe too.

They know that, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

Hence, they tremble at His word. Yes, those who are of God tremble at His word (Ezra 9:4; 10:3). That is, they hear Him, and promptly obey.

When they do anything amiss, they know, they do not rationalize or put the blame elsewhere. Rather, they promptly confess, repent, and get back right with God.

Hence, “with fear and trembling” is not living in terror of God. Rather, it is recognizing His sovereignty, His majesty, referencing Him, seeking His will and obeying Him all the time.

Those who do not obey Him, those who lack the fear of Him have not known Him, no matter how much they claim to know or belong to Him.

It is always, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). And to those who love God his commands are not burdensome.

As we are told, “For this is love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1John 5:3). And so, they obey promptly.

It is very important to understand that this verse is not teaching that salvation can be earned in any way.

Simply put, salvation is not by works but by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

You work out your own salvation by obeying the word of God in all circumstances as you make pleasing and glorifying God in all you do a lifestyle.

As you obey what you know, God gives you more grace to resist temptations, and to obey Him more.

Begin today to work out your salvation!

Please, notice that this passage,

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.” (Phil 2:12) is speak to believers in Christ.

Those that have been save by the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are not yet saved, you have no part in what is written here yet. But you can change your status now, you can acknowledge that you are sinner. You cannot save yourself. Then pray that the Lord Jesus Christ should save you now. Please, do not delay becoming a child of God any long. Come to the Lord now.

Remember he is the one calling you,

“28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mat 11:28-30).

May God keep you in his love in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Bible Study, Christian Conduct, Exhortation , ,