Monday, 4^th December 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: LIVING PURPOSEFULLY

THEME SCRIPTURE: "Wherefore, my beloved, 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. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What does it mean to work out your own salvation?
2. Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit in increasing measure?

We note that the Epistle to the believers at Philippi was one of 4 prison letters. Here, in these two verses, we see Paul make a passionate appeal to the Christian to ensure strict obedience to the word of God; much more in his absence. Strict obedience to God's word is to be observed by the Christian, whether people are around or not. With the consciousness that nothing can be hidden from God who sees all, the Christian is guided in his or her daily actions and inactions.

Paul urges the Christian to work out his salvation with fear and trembling. We observe here Paul is referring to progressive sanctification or in other words showing forth fruit meet for repentance. He is in no way talking about the gift of salvation which is solely a divine work by God.

It is our Christian responsibility to live a life that confirms our new identity in Christ Jesus. It behoves us to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in our lives, workplaces, marriages and in the Church community where we worship.

The Bible says as we look into the perfect law of liberty, we are changed from glory to glory but when He shall appear we shall be like Him. Praise God! As we read and meditate on God’s word we are enabled to be like Christ Jesus in our daily lives. We are saved by grace, not to relax but to work our salvation out; to show proof that we have truly been saved. By their fruits, you will know them. Beloved in the Lord, bearing fruit or working out your salvation is your Christian responsibility; there must be evidence to the claim of your Christian identity.

It is most assuring to observe that, the appeal to Christians to take responsibility is enabled by the strong working of God in our lives, both to will and to do God’s good pleasure. God puts in the heart of the Christian the desire to be obedient and He gives us the power or ability to walk in it.

This means that we are supposed to rely on God to walk in progressive sanctification.

Given the apparent struggle within the flesh, Paul assures the Christian that there is enough provision by the power of the Holy Spirit to live above the daily struggles of the human life.

Beloved, God has a good purpose for gifting you His salvation in Christ Jesus. You have the responsibility to ensure that this good purpose is fulfilled to the glory and praise of God. You are God’s light. Therefore shine in your marriage, workplace and church community as the light and that city that cannot be hidden. Live for Christ Jesus.

FURTHER READING – Galatians 5:22-23

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Are you bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in increasing measure?
2. Are you daily fulfilling the good pleasure of God?

 

CONFESSION

I affirm this day that by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am continually working out my salvation to fulfil God’s good pleasure in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Job 5; Micah 1; Hebrews 11