Therefore, 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, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13
There is a funny riddle: which blade of the scissors does the cutting? A more profound question is who does what in salvation? Paul tells the believers in Philippi to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. Its almost as if he is saying, it all rests on your shoulders, so don’t blow it! But, then he reminds them, that God is for us, so who can really be against us? Listen to the balance… “for it is God who works in you”. Wow! If its God at work in me, then I really can’t fail. If you’ve ever wondered about how this divine dance works… certainly God is the leading man and we are the partner. Its his grace that initiated and saved us. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. But we have a role, a very active one.
God, thank you that before I ever desired you, you put a desire in me for You. I love what Martin Smith of the band Delirious says “I have chosen to believe, believing that You’ve chosen me”. Am I comfortable with the fact that I am saved by grace and not my own works? Am I responding to the grace of God in a way that show how much I value Jesus’ saving work on the cross?
Lord Jesus, today I want to walk in concert with You. Its You who works in me. May I respond and do your will, to act in order to fulfill Your good purpose in every way!?
