Articles
God Working In You - 10.15.2023 Bulletin
God Working in You
Philippians 2.12-16
One of the many reoccurring themes of the Bible is the importance God places on obedience and by the same logic the consequence of disobedience. We see time and time again throughout the Bible, obedience being rewarded, and disobedience being punished. For anyone today to think they can be right before God while being disobedient to God’s commands, is ignorant of what the Bible says. Even Christ, who was God on earth, pleased God the Father by His obedience. It was through Christ’s obedience that He became highly exalted and received the name above all names (Philippians 2.8-9). Paul writes to the Philippian brethren to continue to maintain the same obedient attitude which Christ possessed.
Paul begins by commending them for their obedience, and the greater effort they showed to it after Paul departed (v. 12a). It is clear these brethren had made the faith their own. It is one thing for us to have faith and be obedient when we are around other people of faith. But do we maintain that same level of faith or show an even greater degree of faith when we are by ourselves, or around people in the world? To have made the faith our own is to make choices that please God without having to be reminded to do so. Because ultimately salvation is granted on an individual basis. We cannot rely on another person’s obedience or faith to save us. We sometimes speak of local congregations being “faithful,” but just because a congregation is “faithful” doesn’t mean everyone who attends there will be saved based on the congregation as a whole being deemed “faithful.”
We must continue diligently in keeping the faith. The person who remains in the faith is one who is walking in step with the commands God has given. When we are walking in line with God’s commands, we will carry out good works. Faith and works go hand in hand, the two cannot be separated (James 2.17). God then expects us to carry out these works, because He created us for good works, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them” (Ephesians 2.10). If God created us for good works, we do them not to bring glory to ourselves, but to bring glory to Him.
What attitude is the disciple of Christ to have towards working for God? Paul writes to “do all things without grumbling or disputing” (v. 14). When it comes to our service to the Lord do we drag our feet the whole way? If someone comes to us who needs our help do we help them begrudgingly? On the Lord’s Day, are we eager to worship Him or do we go just to fill a spot in the pew. In 1 Corinthians 10.10, one of the things we are to learn from the mistakes of Israel is to not have their complaining attitude which led to their downfall. Israel time and time again received blessing and miracles from God yet continued to find ways to complain. Our attitude, especially towards the things of God says a lot about us. How can we influence people for good, and bring them to Christ if we are constantly complaining about working for the Lord?
Attitude is how a disciple of Christ separates themselves from the world. It is easy to find things to complain about if things aren’t going our way. Even when things are going our way, we still find ways to nit-pick. What about our attitude toward other people? Are we constantly trying find their faults or do we look for the good? We shine as lights when even in the rough times we find contentment, we don’t complain, and are thankful. This attitude is different, and it stands out. How do we maintain this attitude? Paul says to hold “fast to the word of life.” When we dedicate our lives to knowing God’s word, and striving to model our live after it, it is then we can live blameless and innocent. What God cares about most is our spiritual well-being. By continuing in the faith, living in obedience, being the workmanship He designed us for, and doing all things with the right attitude, we can allow God to work though us, so that we can teach others to do the same for their spiritual well-being.
- Glad_Tidings_10.15.2023_PDF.pdf (4.07 MB)
