Good works (2)
Phil. 2:12-13;
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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 which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Paul instructs that we work out our salvation, not work for salvation. This is quite vital to note because some Christians believe it is their responsibility to work to be saved and the more good works they do, the more likely they are to ‘make heaven’. But that is not true — salvation is God’s work, and it is wrought in Christ, man’s role is simply to accept what Christ has done.
Salvation is of grace, it is what is bestowed on one, not worked for. It is called a gift — something you don’t work for (Eph. 2:8).
Man’s salvation must be based on the blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. (Heb. 9:22). What saves is that a man hears the message, understands and believes it.
Heb. 5:8-9;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Salvation is Jesus’ work. It is wrong to say we should work for salvation, that is against the crux of the gospel. Jesus is the Lord of salvation. You don’t need to do anything to get saved, just believe!
Eph. 1:1-8; You are accepted because of what Christ has done. You have redemption through his blood.
Matt. 26:28;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
The blood of Jesus isn’t all-purpose. It has a specific purpose — to remit sins.
John 6: 51-53;
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
John 3:3-5;
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Salvation is by faith, spiritual growth is by responsibility. Walking in the spirit is working out your salvation, not that you are upholding your salvation. Salvation is not attained by works, but when you become saved, there are works to do.
Eph. 2:10;
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Thus, there are works in Christ and that is spiritual growth. When you get saved by that message, the same message now sends you on an errand.
When you come into Christ, there are good works. You don’t bring it, you meet it at the table.
Read Eph. 4:11-15;
We have ministry gifts to mature us. Thus, Paul will now say in verse 17 that we shouldn’t walk like sinners. In verse 26, he’d say don’t be angry and sin; in verse 27 -32, he begins to list some things the believer should stay away from because he has not so learned Christ. Teaching produces spiritual growth.
So, you see what Christ has done and follow his example.
Eph. 5:1-2;
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.
Walking in love is part of how we work out our salvation. What you see in what he has done is what you also now do. We look at salvation and take lessons from it. Our walk of faith is from salvation itself.
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Bible Reading – 2 Samuel 3-5
TEACHING OF THE DAY
The Right Hand of God (5)