A Thought for the Day

Thank you Oswald Chambers.

We've been studying Philippians in our Renewed Minds class (Sunday School) and I remember this being a point that we seemed to get stuck on. Chambers kind of clarifies the point made by Paul in Philippians 2:12. The verse says "... continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." (NIV).

In my devotional this morning (titled "Take the Initiative" from My Utmost for His Highest) a new light started shining. Oswald Chambers starts the study with "... add to your faith virtue..." Here is what he then writes:

"Add means that we have to do something. We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save nor sanctify ourselves -- God does that. But God will not give us good habits or character, and He will not force us to walk correctly before Him. We have to do all that ourselves. We must "work out" our "own salvation" which God has worked in us. Add means that we must get into the habit of doing things, and in the initial stages that is difficult. To take the initiative is to make a beginning -- to instruct yourself in the way you must go.

Beware of the tendency to ask the way when you know it perfectly well. Take the initiative -- stop hesitating -- take the first step. Be determined to act immediately in faith on what God says to you when He speaks, and never reconsider or change your initial decisions. If you hesitate when God tells you to do something, you are being carless, spurning the grace in which you stand. Take the initiative yourself, make a decision of your will right now, and make it impossible to go back. Burn your bridges..."
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I bolded the portion I found amazingly truthful and that I'd never really thought of or at least didn't understand before. While God leads and guides us, our initiative is in responding to His guidance.
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"... 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)*~