God's Part, Giving His Son for Salvation

Our Part - OBEY Working Out Our Salvation "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,o 13 for it is God who works in youp to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,l but I press on to take holdm of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behindo and straining toward what is ahead, I press onp toward the goal to win the prizeq for which God has calledr me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are matures should take such a view of things.t And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.u 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (Philippians 3: 12-15) As I struggled in controllong my mind, in trying to get to sleep last night, I prayed, because my mind wanted to quit, but my spirit wretled with it well into the night. Over and over again I had to put this summers events into the hands of my God. He opened the doors and He will fill the spots needed to be filled by His servants. This morning I opened up the ODB Devotional and today’s text, was written just for me. The fisrt part in Philippians 2:12-13 brought to memory, the many times, even though there was no one around and I was doing a job, I choose to do it as unto the Lord. But then my most favourite verse and the one that has been my go too, my anchour, is that I am to rech forward, forget those things that are behind, for what is ahead will be much better in the end. Paul here in Philippians, writing from prison has encouraged me over and over again over the years, ever sense God gave me these verses at a very crucial time in my life, that gave me the boost I needed in my life to continue the race, with confidence, that I was not alone. He once again this morning has encouraged me to “press on" "toward the goal to win the prize."(Philippians 3:14). I guess I go along with what Paul says in Acts, only I have to learn not to do it out of self pity, but rather out of knowing it not me, but its "HIM"“ Pauls says, "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace”(Acts 20:24)I know that is what God has called me to do. Just as Paul’s goal is to be more like Christ and to spread the gospel, and win the ultimate “prize” in the end (Philippians 3:14) which is eternal life with Jesus (vv. 10-11, 20-21). Friends my rewards and your rewards are not based on our deeds. We can never do enough, to pay the price of our sin, thats why Jesus paid that price, because He was able and because He loved us more than anyone ever could. Look at Ephesians 2, Paul says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”(v. 8). The good we do is only evidence of what Christ has already done. They are the evidence of God’s Spirit doing His work in and through us, in our daily walk with Him. So then, as God provides what is needed, HE enables us to do His biding. In that strength we strive for righteousness and be faithful to Him in all we do. My fellow Christians, as elievers in Jesus, we are not made right with God by doing good works or putting on a good performance on Sunday. But rather we must grasp the message that together in partnership with the works of the Holy Spirit in our lives we have the desire to do such goodd works. Its not us, it's Him. I agree it requires committment, heart and honest hard work on our part. For me, I have have a struggle through out my spiritual walk with God, not to try and do it in my human strength. I know God saved us me by His grace, I know God called me and you, to live holy leves, set apart, to live differently for Him. And I want to respond to His gracious love with sincerity, coming from a thankful heart. As we ask for wisdom and seek to be obedient to Him and to please Him He gives us strength and He helps us get the job done. I know He will show me when I go wrong. (Philippians 3:15), He has always given me the strength I need to resist temptation and to carry on as I listen for His still small voice. (1 Corinthians 10:13), He empowers us to do what’s right in His eyes and He prepares the way before us. Matthew 20, says He is with us to the end. (Ephesians 2:10). Father God, I come to you, this morning to ask for forgiveness for doughting You. One of my biggest challenges in seeking you and leaving the outcome in your hands.. Lord I pray for more workers, for more of your servants to be obedient to your call to go and spread the good news. More to be faithful and pleasing to you, in desiring to share the gospel with the world. Lord help me to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and strength. Holy God, please help me to be holy and faithful in my journey, for I know that You desire me to be like Your Son Jesus. Help me to be the example I need to be, as I go forth this summer in serving You, those you call to come It will be those who you want to hear your message of the Good News Of Jesus Birth, Life, Death, and Reserection unto Salvation. My prayer is that many will begin the journey of working out their salvation with fear and trembling, as the begin their walk with you this summer. Thank you Jesus, AMEN