How do you plan to work out your salvation in the New Year as the Bible instructs us!? Do you care as much about being shaped into the image of Christ as getting into shape physically this year!?
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
In Salvation we receive a new nature and the deposit of the Holy Spirit. Now our part is to continue to feed the new nature and starve the old nature. We also have the privilege of listening to the precious voice of the Holy Spirit.
When you think about a physical work out, we know that no one can work out for us and we can’t do it for others. Similarly, our salvation requires us to do our individual work to press into God and let go of the past, so we can grow and become stronger in Him.
Furthermore, there is much that has been deposited in us, and we are expected to use the gifts and the abilities that the Lord has blessed us with to make a difference in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes we can think about others and wonder if we have what it takes to serve God, but we need to focus on what God has given us and nurture what He has deposited in us.
The parable of the talent (Matthew 25:14-30) is a good reminder of that truth. The Lord was not looking at the number of talents but what each person was doing with what they were given. They needed to steward what they were given.
The truth is that much has been deposited in all of us. Many of us have heard hundreds if not thousands of messages. We have been mentored by others and have spent thousands of hours in the Bible. We need to exercise what we have.
Just as a natural work out is a solo sport, in the same manner, spiritual matters need to be nurtured by each person and no one else can do that for them. Others can come around and encourage us, but the best coaches cannot do the work for us. Praise God for good coaches and mentors that God uses in our lives, but we always work out our own salvation and not someone else’s.
Working out is a regular disciplined act. It is not event driven or dependent on how we feel, but we do it because we know it is good for us. Similarly, we need to have the discipline to work out our salvation with a regular commitment for our spiritual health and wellbeing.
Some of us may have new resolutions for the New Year. Many times getting in shape physically is one of those New Year resolutions. However, how about putting getting in shape spiritually on top of our list? How about if our desires are about being shaped more and more into the image of Christ and taking on His gentleness, humility, and love!?
Image by Rosy / Bad Homburg / Germany from Pixabay