Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”
Our Bible verse for today: “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.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Be intentional about becoming progressively stronger and more compassionate.”
How do we become good at anything? By practice. The more we do something the better we become at it. The same is true for the virtues of strength and compassion. The more we intentionally cultivate them, the more they will be evident in our lives.
In Philippians 2:12-13 Paul exhorts us to “work out” our salvation. He didn’t mean that we have to work “for” our salvation but that since we are saved, the evidence of that salvation should become more and more apparent in our lives. And when he writes that we are to work it out “with fear and trembling”, he’s not talking about being afraid and shaking in our boots. He’s writing about the Biblical fear of God (an awareness of His majesty and a healthy respect for His awesomeness). Paul’s meaning is that we are to work out our salvation on a daily basis with a clear understanding that it is Almighty God Himself who is working in us and leading us to accomplish His purposes.
Part of that “working out” of our salvation will include an intentional effort to be strong and compassionate. This is something that is practiced and which grows day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month, and year-after-year. It is the accumulated effect of sustained growth over long periods of time. It’s something we desire, pray about, and intentionally strive to incorporate into the practice of our faith. The ongoing development of strength and compassion then becomes a way of life.
Patient and faithful discipleship over time leads to a stronger and more compassionate follower of Christ. I encourage you to be intentional about becoming progressively stronger and more compassionate.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 