Shine as lights!

Another great morning to be alive and serving the King. Today's lesson is a good one so let's get right to it. Here are today's verses:

Philippians 2:12-17

12 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; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

First in verse 12 Paul tell them to keep pressing on even when he isn't with them. He also says some thing interesting "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". Well salvation means deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption. So I believe here he is telling us not to take what God has done for us, providing salvation, lightly. Keep up the good fight with a rememberance to who God is which should make us fear and tremble. Wow that is some powerful stuff right there. Verse 13 tells us God wants to work in us for two reasons to accomplish His good will and for His pleasure. Are you aware God wants to work through you and has jobs only you can accomplish? So are you letting Him work through you? If you are verse 14 tells us we shouldn't be complaining or disputing. If we are working for God we need to have a good attitude and remember who are Boss is. Verse 15 tells us why. When we do things God's way we become blameless and harmless, people see we are the children of God are are without fault or very different than the crooked perverse generation we live in right now and we will SHINE as lights in a dark world. In return because you are shining there is no telling how many you may bring to Jesus! That should be enough right there to make us want to do as Paul taught here.

Verse 16 tells us to hold fast to the Word of God. This and prayer are the two keys to living like Christ desires. If we are not in the Word and praying I can promise you that you are not even close to where God wants you. It is impossible. In the rest of verses 16-18 Paul tells us to pour ourselves out like an offering to Christ and then rejoice as we all work out our salvation to the King!

So my fiends let me ask you...have you had anything to rejoice about in serving King Jesus? If yes Paul says rejoice!!! If not we have work to do and we need to start today! I can tell you with complete confidence that there is nothing more satisfying in life than serving Jesus...NOTHING!

I love you ll in the Lord...Tom