Exercising

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name...

Verse of the Day:  Proverbs 1:8

8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction,

    and forsake not your mother's teaching,

Memory verse: Psalm 42:2(New American Bible )

"My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I enter and see the face of God?"

Today's reading: Isaiah 41-42 1 Thessalonians 1

Exercising

I had an honest good question from a friend about Philippians 2:12

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". The question was about two parts. The first was about the 'work out your salvation' part.

Researchers have told us that we are born with a certain number of muscle cells that make up our muscle fibers. This number remains the same for our entire lives. The only way our muscles grow in size is through repetition in activity or 'working out' as the athletic world knows it. This Bible verse does not say to work 'for' our salvation. Paul says for us to 'work out' our salvation. In other words, we are to exercise our salvation. We are to repeat actions that increase our faith. With much repetition our salvation experience becomes greater and stronger.

The 'fear and trembling' part echos what Paul has said earlier as he addresses worshipful respect for God:

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Philippians, chapter 2)

This brings us to motive. What is our motive for going to God's spiritual gym and working out our salvation? Do we work out our salvation so we can appear to be a 'super Christian'-the strongest Christian known anywhere? In seminary we heard stories of a group of seminarians who preceded us who all had perfect scores on everything. This was a mark for which many worked.

2 Timothy 2:15 ►Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Did they work for grades to prove themselves to each other or to God? Do we work to please God or be approved by man?

This is the great question. Is pleasing God our motive? He is the great Father. He takes pleasure in His obedient and humble children.

Psalm 149:4 ►For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

It goes on to say: 5Let the saints exult in glory; let them shout for joy upon their beds.…

On their beds? Yes, in private-not before throngs of people but alone with God, we are to celebrate. Alone with our Father we are to experience His good pleasure.

Trying to be a good Christian, again, will not get it done. Working out with fear and trembling because we walk in humility, act righteously, and we love mercy, (Micah 6:8), is what God requires. If we are recognized by those around us with awards and accolades, we take pride captive and give glory to God and shout for joy upon our beds.

Love God and obey Him. This is all the motivation we need.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

My motives are not right. Forgive me. Grant me the desire to please You and You alone.

Mighty and tender God!

In the name of Jesus,

Amen