Text: Phil 2:12
By: Bro. Sunny Ogumor
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It is important that we remind ourselves of how to reduce that distance between we and our God. Unknowingly some of us may be standing afar off thinking that it is normal. The way the world is going now, many have thrown conscience to the wind and wickedness is taking over. All forms of vices are been perpetrated all over the place. This is becoming the normal way of doing things and is pushing Christians further and further away from God. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. If our prayers are not answered, and the salvation we wait for escape us, it is not because God is tired of hearing prayers, but because we are not praying with conscience and so sin is separating us from our God. Those who disregards truth and justice are strangers to Peace.
Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
What is salvation: The act of saving some thing or somebody from harm, difficulty, destruction or hell. Deliverance from all things that separates people from God.
Work out here means to start your Christianity race and finish diligently. We must be diligent in the use of all the means which will lead us to our salvation, persevering in it to the end, the reward is what we are looking for. We should do this with great care so that we will not lose all the advantages we have. There are some little things that matters, come think of Aaron and Moses both great men of God did not enter the promised land. Numbers 20:24 – 29 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah. Deuteronomy 32:51-52 Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. These men I believe they have hope beyond death. What is our faith in God if I compare with these great men of God. Let this encourage us to do our utmost so that our labor will not be in vain.
We must not deny the grace of God that works in us to continue in us. Do your duty without murmurings. Do it well if you are given an assignment, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it. Give no justification to offence committed rather repentance it required. The children of God should be different from the children of men. Let us try to keep our behavior as Christians not only in the meeting hall but also outside it and not only when brethren are around. As a consistent believer your behavior should enlighten others, and direct their way to Christ and holiness.
Your Own Salvation; this means that Salvation is personal, you are in charge of your duty and takes responsibility. The Leaders, Parents, Brethren and teachers are there to assist or guide but the decision is yours as an adult who is supposed to know how to divide the word of truth. Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Your ability to be here today is not by your power, then, why not concentrate on the worship of today. Some of us may be pinging, sleeping, gisting, mocking, telling other stories or doing otherwise. I am sure some brethren will not respond at the end of a prayer section because of lack of attention. It is important that the duty to serve God be done with a willing mind not waiting for brother or sister to always remind you of church service and if not reminded you will be absent with no reason. The feeble mind is not capable of spiritual worship required of a Christian. According to Joshua choose you whom ye will serve, the matter is clear, it is a free world. If you chose to serve the Lord then always conform yourself inside the meeting hall and outside it.
Working out your own salvation with fear:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This is not the fear that will make you avoid church service or avoid brethren but the fear that will make you run away from sin. A deep sense of responsibility to obey God in all things. Psm 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want (lack nothing) to them that fear him. Fear the lord does not mean that we should be frightened of God but a good relationship with a reverent sense that God is so powerful and righteous that we there not take him for a right or lightly.
If we hope to spend eternity with God, it is good that we should spend much of our time here in his work. God never said we should seek him in vain. When you look at the world today, we should be perplexed and at a loss because of the happenings in the society. But Christians need to look onto Christ, depending on him for our salvation, all who trust in him will be blessed.
Working out your own salvation without fear: Wrong destination.
Cain made sacrifice to God not considering the implications, how do you do your own today. The kingship did not continue in Saul’s house because he hast not kept that which the LORD commanded. 1 Samuel 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people.
Have you considered why within a space of forty years all the able body men who left Egypt died in the wilderness? Could it be too much familiarity, Tiredness, monotony, lack of trust, too much enjoyment, bored, etc. They no longer obeyed the voice of the Lord. Joshua 5:6. Watch your steps in the Lord.
Fatal error: Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
We are told to control our tongue because it is a very bad master of the body as some of us allow it to control us even in the house of God. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. It is disheartening to hear curses, lies, boastings, and reviling from a true believer’s mouth. Asking for divine grace, let us take heed to bless and not to curse and let us aim to be consistent in our words and actions.
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Unruly behavior in the house of God:
Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. If you sleep you will miss part of the worship.
This is unbecoming of a Christian. If you waste your youthful time in unruly behavior then you will miss the point physically and spiritually. Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Take time to compose yourself during the worship avoid storytelling that cause distraction. Concentrate to keep your thoughts from roving and wandering.
Conclusion: Six things that God hate.
Pr 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pr 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pr 6:18 An heart that always think of bad things (devises wicked imaginations), feet that go about looking for trouble (swift in running to mischief), troublemaker.
Pr 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that set up quarrel (who soweth discord) among brethren.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”
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