“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” [Philippians 2:12-13 NLT]
I am still thinking about obedience, something we seldom talk about anymore. One of the results of our salvation, obtained through the absolute obedience of God’s Precious Only Son Jesus is that we too learn obedience. [Philippians 1:6-11]
The promise of Philippians 2:12-13 above is that God is working in us! He works in us through the power of the Holy Spirit given on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit produces a desire in us to do what pleases God – and then He produces the power to carry out that desire.
Isn’t that an amazing thought! We are given the ability to please God through our obedience. I admit that my soul can get so ugly at times I cannot even “please” myself – let alone please God. But God doesn’t give up on me. He doesn’t write me off.
Instead, He provides all I need. He provides a desire to obey Him with deep reverence (not shallow!) and fear. And then gives the power to obey and to please.
Thank you LORD Jesus for your obedience which provided all I need so that I too can be obedient. Amen
