THE SIMPLICITY OF KEEPING OUR SALVATION
I think we tend to complicate Christian living many times. This morning I dug into the book of Philippians. It took a while for me to finish the first chapter, it’s just so rich with principles of motivation and encouragement – its builds such a driving force to complete the assignment God has given us.
But then comes chapter two. The first eighteen verses paint a picture of the simplicity and unfussiness of living our lives free of human motive contamination and pure service of worship. As I read, the conviction of the Lord began to once again, make a call for change. The first eleven verses of chapter two make a challenge to live life in humility without selfish ambition. And that’s really a stone I’ve been chipping away at for a long time. I believe it’s the “Achilles heel” to all men and women who lead congregations or serve in the public eye.
And then came verse 12-13…. “12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Our relationship with God (our salvation) must be “worked out” but not unless God “works in.” In other words, when we “work out” (to accomplish and achieve) the mandate of true humility and always consider others over ourselves, it positions us to receive God’s grace to continue to “WILL” and “DO” (living in humility and servanthood) according to His good pleasure.
No, we can’t earn our salvation by performing or doing good works. The “work” that Paul was referring to was not the end result of an action rather the motive or incentive of the action. And when those motives are under God’s subjection and humility, then God empowers us, through His Spirit, to continue by the “willing working and doing” that comes from a regulated and policed well free from fleshly contamination and self-aggrandizement.
Anxious to read your thoughts,
Pastor Manny
When god wants us to do something he will have us do it. one way or another. So god is telling you to change, then change.
I want to and need to get to that place where the motives behind what I do are under God’s subjection and humility. I need to get to the place where I do things for God not expecting anything in return. It is when I truly understand that, then I can begin working out my salvation.
We do complicate our lives as believers, too busy trying to be our own saviors by doing “good” works. Just like we’ve been learning in the Prodigal God, what were the elder brother’s motives for all his obedience, respect, and good works to the father? True worship to God is total abandonment of self, without motive, reason or hidden agendas.
Many people use those verses to say that you earn your salvation by works and not grace. I think like in every relationship we have to work it out, and that can only be shown by the fruit of your life. I think the simple action of saying ” I don’t want to see tv I want to worship you” is an action that comes from living in a relationship with Him. Fruits are manifestation of who we are everyday when no one is looking.
Wow, this is very good stuff. I believe that we daily have to check our heart and motives for everything we do. Be who God has called us to be. Be consistent. Let go and let God. It is not about me.
Thanks Pastor for the reminder. Its so easy to get caught up in the me factor, that I could easily forget that I shouldnt be a factor at all. Its all about Him.
We really tend to complicate things, maybe it make us feel smarter…
Christianism is simple, it is all about a blind obedience to God. The only thing we need is faith and that is all…
I have been reaching a point where I no longer do things to please people, but to serve God. Even though it is nice to know my actions are recognized, my first thought is to know that God is pleased and that I have done what he has called me to. I will always check myself and make sure that my motives are correct. I never want to make decisions without God in it. Prayerfully I will always be in a place to hear what He wants.
Sometimes servanthood, putting others before yourself and doing things for people who you know won’t do the same for you doesn’t feel good. I’m at a place where I’m asking God to help me not get weary in my well doing and to let my doings be unto Him and not people.
This is where I’m letting God to continue process me walking in the spirit of humility. It’s not about me or my ambitious. I’m learning to trust in God and let his purpose take control of my life.
Well Pastor I thimk that we have to Pray for each other and read the word that the Lord gives us everyday. we need to give our faith up and don’t let the world get you down.
I f we simply remember that it’s not our will but His will be done. When Jesus momentarily asked God to take this cup from Him, He unselfishly turned His heart back to what the Father’s will was and I don’t think we will ever face anything in our lifetime as difficult as what Jesus went through when He was humiliated and died for our sins.
Good stuff!!! Very much needed to be reminded of!
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
2 Corinthians 8:9
What does that mean, “he became poor”? It means that he gave up his honor and glory, he let go of his position, he relinquished all of the riches of heaven, in order to become one of us, in order to save us from our sins. He gave up that glory in order to become a high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses. I think this is the greatest example of selflessness. We too must be willing to give up our agenda, human motives, and selfish ambition. Continue to work in us Lord that we too may work out!
I think that the reason we complicate our lives is simply because it’s easier that way. Because a simple christian life is often a much harder life to lead. Due to the fact that if we do things our way we feel safer, but when we do things God’s way it requires us to have faith. A simple christian life requires faith. Needs faith. So I think we over complicate things because it’s easier to trust ourselves than it is to trust God.
We have to be focused on the One that has called us and not so much on what we have been called to. Always keep Christ first and remember that all we do is for Him alone.
We do have to check ourselves. What are the actual motives in which we do anything.
May we have a passion for Christ and may our lives be transformed. At the end of the day we have to stand before God and give an account. Let’s get it together.
I’m still going through the process of trying to simplify. God is working in me and I know I will work out what He’s doing in me.
Do everything with GOD in view and nothing for view of our self!
In a saying from Just For Today: “I will do 3 things for somebody today without telling
anybody.” Whatever I do should always be for love of humanity pushing them with
love toward GOD’S Kingdom and not for my personal recognition.
Personally speaking, there are many times that I have complicated my Christian life. This happens when I allow my focus to be shifted from Him, I begin to see things as a duty and it becomes work (at which time my personal agenda and ambition kicks in) rather than a service unto Him. Ultimately if I am doing the work on my agenda and selfish ambition then chances are He won’t get the glory that is due to Him when things are done.
This is a reminder that I’m only here by His grace and mercy, and anything I have achieved is because of Him. My eyes, ears and heart must be focused on Him at all times.
We as men and women always have a tendency to want to please self. I like what you said that its the motive of the heart. I love to serve my church and I have been learning that we all can serve once but on a continual basis takes the right motive not to burnt out.
Absolutely!! Our attitude should be the same as that of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, who put aside his feelings and desires for us….that is the utmost prime example of “doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves”. HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOR!!
Yea Motivation ! I really think I’m alien; I have know problem putting others first it’s putting time in with Him first and finding a spot for myself ! And I have a hard time of understanding how people know of someone pain but not hurt or even think if it wasn’t for GOD it could have been you !
Habakkuk 3:17-18
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
When everything else fails, only the pure motive of our hearts will come out. Let’s rejoice in the Lord!
Our actions are only a reflection of who and what we are. It is already on the inside of us, just that some of us have not recieve the full revelation of it yet. It is up to us to dig deep inside and “work it out”. We must be relentless in our pursuit of His Masterpiece being revealed to the rest of the World, which is inside of us already…
To me it all goes back to the place He has in our live – If He’s the Lord and King of our lives – When we allow Him to take over and give Him all the areas in our life that need to continue to be broken
For all have sinned and fall sort of God’s Glory….therefore we are justified by faith and as Gumpp would say….that’s all He has to say about that. Beyond confession is not in essence a question of Salvation, just a matter of living to please God more and more by an ever increasing depth of our faith and bearing of fruit. We forget this simple truth too easily and are fooled by the burden of sin. But His Grace trumps sin every time, and (this next part is important) His grace is enough to keep us from sinning.
Now this is my opinion, which to the extent of my faith is the extent of His grace manifested in my life…the extent of his grace is not linked to the extent of my sin, because grace abounds regardless of sin.
I like this blog because it talks about how we can’t earn God’s salvation by good works but by doing what He has called us to do.
Very good blog that has great truths of the Word of God. Looking forward to more of these blogs.
Yes we do tend to complicate our Christian lives. Our human motives or selfish ambitions combined with trying to do His will now and then, causes a big ball of knots to be formed. It’s only in studying His word, in praying and in letting go and letting God, that the unravelling of the knots will start to take place.