Work For His Good Pleasure

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you – and in the same way you also my be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:12-18

We always crave change in a new year. This is why we generally start diets, exercise programs, and new hobbies. Of course, one month later we are usually back to our old habits. Maybe that’s because we crave too big a change and do not have enough power and will to make the changes.

Have you ever wondered how many Jesus-followers have made commitments to change and grow spiritually but are experiencing frustration because they don’t have the will and power to carry out those steps?

God will energize you to carry out His tasks. He will work on your desires. God will work on those and give you the desire to change and grow. He will also give you the power to make the actual changes.

God has not left us alone in our struggles to attain spiritual growth. He helps us want to obey Him, and then He gives us the power to do what He wants. Ask Him to help you want to do His will.

The power that compels us comes from the Spirit who dwells in us.

Our Daily Bread – February 1, 2009