What does this phrase mean to us? Do we earn salvation by our works? No, we do not! In this life, we’ll have to work things out, as situations arise and life (stuff) happens.
What Paul is trying to accent is that we are to work it out to the finish; not in any way, to earn salvation by good works. We work out our salvation by our spiritual growth and development. We are involved in our spiritual growth. We choose the process of perseverance and maturing in the things of God.
We make the choice to follow the ways of our God, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2: 12-13) We need to resolve that no matter what happens His purpose is good.
We have to hold onto the word of life that’s within us, to shine as Jesus shines in this crooked and depraved world. We are exhorted to, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault.” (Philippians 2: 14)
Paul is asking the Philippian church to, “Welcome Timothy in the Lord with great joy and honor men like him.” (Philippians 2: 29)
- When we welcome others, we welcome the Lord.
- When we welcome the Lord, we welcome Holy Spirit.
- The trinity lives in us.
- Salvation is within us.
- Jesus is salvation.
(Shared from Philippians 2: 12-30, Modified)
The Prophet Groans
“Groan before them with a broken heart and bitter grief. And when they ask you, why are you groaning; you shall say, “Because of the news that is coming every heart will melt and every hand go limp; every spirit will become faint and every knee become as weak as water. It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 21: 6-7)
- The prophet’s tears and groans of intercession may tum the heart of the people.
- Our cries and tears, God does not waste.
He is prophesying to them of the upcoming judgment, “A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished–sharpened for the slaughter polished to flash like lightning.” (Ezekiel 21: 9)
“Cry out and wail,” Ezekiel is told. (Ezekiel 21: 12)
What’s In A Man?
God knows what’s in us! Ezekiel was to confront, once again, what’s in their hearts. He sees in the hearts of the Israelites, “In you they have treated father and mother with contempt; In you, are slanderous men bent on shedding blood; In you, are those who eat at mountain shrines; In you are those who violate women; In you one man commits a detestable offense with his neighbor’s wife; In you men accept bribes…And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 22: 7-12)
What’s In Us?
As a believer, we have Jesus inside of us. We have the living, heart of God, active in us. You have “in you” the ability to intercede for a ruthless people. God said, “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22: 30) Awe, that made me sad.
- God chooses to look for a man to intervene through intercession.
- The prophet’s task is to intercede with God on behalf of the people.
Does God need man to change an outcome? No, but He chooses us to come alongside Him and pray. Do we realize that our prayers can change the outcome of a situation?
- People of God, you are history makers.
Obedience In Working It Out
Isaiah heard the Lord say, “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakes my ear to listen like one being taught. (Isaiah 50: 4)
- Allow God to open your ear to listen. He has things to say and to teach us.
- Opened ears are a sign of obedience.
“It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.” (Isaiah 50: 9)
Help us Lord to continually hear and listen–You hear our hearts Lord and you hear our cries. You shall help! (Shared from Isaiah 50, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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