Jesus Does It, Not You

NIKOLE SPARKS, Graphics Director

• BIBLE VERSE

  Philippians 2:12-13 “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, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

• INTERPRETATION

  Paul is writing in jail to the Philippians. Paul has been happy with how they have been following the Lord and staying true to his word and He is not exhorting the believers there to continue to work out their faith with even more urgency and caution. Paul is also reminding the believers at Philippi that as they work out their salvation, it isn’t possible for them to do it on their own. They must get the grace from God that will work in them the ability to work out their faith.

• BREAKTHROUGH

  Life isn’t about trying harder! It’s about coming to God more.

• LIFE APPLICATION

  Paul is giving the believers at Philipi a charge that cannot be done without God. In my life there are a lot of moments that I want to take things into my own hands and work out my faith on my own. Do things better, or do things more intentionally, try to change, try to work out my salvation. Paul is saying here that it is impossible to work out our salvation without God working in us first. I think I get this equation backwards a lot, I want to do good things, so that I can be worthy of following God, and then He will bless the things I am doing for Him. This is so wrong, on
  many different levels. We cannot do anything for God without Him doing it in us first. This is applicable to me everyday. I must constantly be humbly approaching the King who grants me the grace and will to live righteously by emulating the servant Jesus. My life cannot be better by trying harder, my faith cannot be better by doing more, it all comes down to the King. It is almost relieving to know that Jesus is providing me everything I need to succeed. All I need to do is come to him first.

• ENTREATY

  King Jesus, thank you for loving me enough to become a servant, and give me the empowering and enabling grace to live out a life that is pleasing to you. I am humbled by the fact that you have loved me enough to welcome me into your arms over and over again, giving me the strength to follow you. Help me to remember each day that my strength comes from you providing me with the will and ability to do your work. Help me to find rest in your grace, and peace in the knowledge that you supply me with everything I need. You are good, and I don’t deserve your grace. Thank you for choosing me and sustaining me. I love you. Amen.