Philippians 2.12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved,
as you have always obeyed,
so now, not only as in my presence
but much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you,
both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
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My sanctification, however, differs from my justification in some ways. Though it is indeed part of my guarantee from the Spirit, unlike justification it is neither instant nor is it completed within a moment. God’s Word says I am to “work out [my] own salvation with fear and trembling.” I must be diligent in strengthening my faith and to “train [myself] for godliness” (1 Timothy 4.7).
Christianity without discipleship
is Christianity without Christ.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
If I go to the gym, I work out my muscles to strengthen them. This is like sanctification and discipleship. I take an active part and role in my sanctification, but what I need to understand is that it is God who works in me to do that working out. It’s the Holy Spirit who is doing the renovating of the home through me.
What’s more, I don’t work out in order to create muscles, but I work out to strengthen what God had already put there. Not that I strengthen my actual salvation, as that can’t be improved upon. But I work out the muscles of my salvation so that through a strengthened faith it can be used in this life for the mission that God has put me on. As with a sports team, justification gets me on the team, and sanctification makes me effective for the team, yet my place on the team is never in jeopardy.
So, while I do partner with the Holy Spirit in my sanctification and discipleship, I also remember that my motivation for growth and sanctification is not so that I can strengthen God’s favor or love towards me, nor so I can somehow keep my salvation and prevent myself from losing it; my motivation for growth is because of what Christ has done for me. I will grow in sanctification when I find myself resting in and enjoying the finished work of the cross.
The Gospel isn’t about work,
it’s about resting in
God’s work done on our behalf.
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
Philippians 2.12-13
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Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Psalm 119.9–16
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander
from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies
I delight as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
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Pray Aloud:
Be a bright flame before me,
Be a guiding star above me,
Be a smooth path below me,
And be a kindly Shepherd behind me,
Today, tonight, and forever.
-St. Columba of Ireland, 5th Century
Father, I want to see Your Name
lifted above all other names
in ________ life.
I am asking that Your Spirit
would be at work,
that Your Kingdom would come
and will be done
in ________ heart and life
as it is in heaven.
Would You please give __________
truth that grabs them,
encourages them,
and guides them to trusting in You.
Help me to forgive those
that have sinned against me,
and remind me that You have forgiven me
for all of my own sin against others.
Lead ___________ out of temptation
and towards truth.
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