WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION…

Talking with a friend the other day, I suggested she work on some things that were causing  grief in her life and in the relationship with her husband. I explained to her we are made up in three parts, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As I dwell on God’s creation of human beings I marvel at how He left us to have a choice in our Soul.  I like to say it this way, in our Spirit we are saved that is Justification, our Soul is being saved that is the Sanctification process and our Body will be saved that is Glorification.

What I marvel at is Father giving us a choice in what the scripture says in, 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,” It is up to us to work on our issues.  We are not left alone to work this out; as we make the effort Holy Spirit brings change.  It is our personal growth process.

Make sure you understand, it is NOT working for Salvation by NO means or for God’s acceptance! A statement by Dallas Willard, in his book, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’ Essential Teachings on Discipleship says it well.  He said, “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action. Grace, you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins alone.”

Begin today by becoming aware of those things that need attention.  Go a step further and ask Holy Spirit to show you the things that hinder your growth process.  It will be like “cleaning house” and you will experience freedom.  I like to say when we do this WORKING OUT OUR OWN SALVATION we are saving ourselves from ourselves.  It is a dying to SELF that wants so bad to be in charge, but remember it will get you no where…..