Today’s Reading | Philippians 2:12-30
Pursuing Growth
What does “to work out your salvation” mean in this passage? We know that it certainly does not mean that you can earn your way to heaven because that would contradict what Paul taught in the book of Romans and several other places in his writings. A close look at verse 13 explains Paul’s meaning and gives us one of the greatest promises in all of Scripture. Paul tells the Philippians to work out in their lives the results of their salvation. That is, to make sure that their lives were demonstrating fruit from their salvation. Why could he expect them to be able to see the results in their lives? Because, according to verse 13, “it is God who works in you to will,” the want to, “and to act,” the ability to carry it out, “according to His good pleasure.” In other words, it is God who gives you the desire to do what is right and the ability to carry it out. Success in the Christian life is possible for everyone who is saved. If you want to be more faithful in your devotions or in sharing Christ, ask God to give you the will and the ability to. In what area of your life right now do you need the will to do what is right? Start by asking God to give it to you.
Today’s Questions
Say What?
Observation: What do I see?
So What?
Interpretation: What does it mean?
Now What?
Application: How does it apply to me?
Then What?
Implementation: What do I do?