“God is Working In You According To His Good Purpose!”

“God Is Working In You According To His Good Purpose!”
Jesus said, if one of you wants to build a tower “will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” If he fails to do an estimate he may put the foundation and not be able to finish. He will become a subject of ridicule and mockery as people will say, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.”
The cost of disciple is not just about leaving everything behind, taking up your cross and following Jesus Christ (Lk.14:26-30). It is more about carrying that cross until you get to the destination.
To this end Paul lovingly advised the Christians of Philippi: “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 according to his good purpose” (Phi.2:12-13).
This piece of advise which is also commending the Philippian Christians is extended to us. We do not only work out our salvation, we do so “with fear and trembling.” This is a reverential fear since “it is God who works in us to will and to act…” It is the “Christ in you, the hope of glory” with all his energy, “which so powerfully works in us” (Col.1:27b &29).
Our intention or faith cannot be seperated from our obedience. Faith is made complete through action (cf. Jm.2:22), or as Paul puts it, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Gal.5:6b).
God wills and acts in us “according to his good purpose.”
My friend, keep the flame of faith burning as you work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Be reverent and obedient to the Lord who is in you, enabling you to complement your faith with actions of love.
Weekend prayer: Dear Lord, keep working in me to will and to act according to your good purpose. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!