It’s God working in you

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Living with joy”

Our Bible verse for today: “For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “It’s God working in you”

Yesterday we learned that a source of joy for us and for others is when we are “working out” our salvation, as Paul instructed in Philippians 2:12. In other words, we are living in a manner consistent with being saved and therefore our lives bring honor and glory to God, and they are a blessing to others.

Now we learn that this working out of our salvation isn’t so much by our own effort as it is a result of the Holy Spirit at work within us. In verse 13 Paul says that it is God at work in you to accomplish His will for good purposes. This working out of your salvation that Paul just wrote about in verse 12 is possible because the Holy Spirit of God dwells in you and makes it possible for you to live in a way that honors God. You don’t do this in your own power or by your own abilities. In fact, you can’t. You cannot accomplish God’s purposes in your power. It happens by the Holy Spirit working in you and through you.

So, stop relying on yourself and start relying on God. And stop making excuses for not doing things. Stop saying that you don’t have the time, or you don’t have the skills, or you don’t have the resources, or “I can’t do this or I can’t do that” It’s not up to you and it doesn’t depend on whether or not you have talent or time or money or anything else. If God wants it done then He is fully able to make it happen. He will use you to do it if He wants to and if you are willing to be used by Him. He created talent and time and money and He isn’t short on any of those things.

So, it’s not a question of what you can do, but what He can do in and through you if you will just cooperate with Him. It’s also not a question what you do or don’t have, but rather what He has and will make available to you so you can then accomplish His purposes.

But remember, Paul was giving us instructions about things we “do”. Working out your salvation doesn’t happen automatically and it is not magic. Also, God doesn’t force it on you. He won’t do these things in you and through you against your will. You have to cooperate; you have to be obedient. Then, once you are in forward motion, being obedient to what God has called you to do, the Holy Spirit will work in you and through you.

So, to live a life that is focused on the things that really matter and which will make a difference, we determine to work out our salvation – intentionally and actively doing the things we know we need to do, and we rely on God rather than on ourselves.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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