12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Tori's Comments:
"Work hard to show the results of your salvation"
Though I see this in two parts, its entirety makes for a great resolution so close to the new year:
1) Work hard. Maybe it's just me as a college student, but sometimes procrastination overtakes me. I may just not feel like doing something, or suddenly realize that a few hours of Netflix sound good right about now. But everything we do, we do for the Lord. And a half-hearted attempt at writing a paper shortly before it's due is not for the Lord. I can easily forget I'm in a spiritual battle, and that Satan would looove for me to get off track or distracted rather than do my best at the work God has given me.
2) Show the results of your salvation. Working hard will glorify God, but this also makes me think of how we can see God's work in our lives. Anyone can work hard, but perhaps not whilst pouring out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control. We work for the Lord, and through that we are also occasionally privileged enough to be a witness, to share this amazing gift we've been given.
I got a little stuck at a specific part of the passage today, but it has definitely been something I've needed to hear.
Terrie's Comments:
God is working in me... that is a humbling thought... He is giving me the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. It's not like he just gives us instructions and then leaves us helpless. He actually remains with each of us working in and through us. His Holy Spirit dwells in each one of us.
Our faithful service to God is an offering to God. And we can rejoice as we respond to the Holy Spirit and follow God's voice in obedience. Walking in unity and love towards everyone... especially towards fellow believers. When we Faithfully serve God we will find joy in our service :-)
I'm curious what has God asked you to do and has resulted in joy as you served Him faithfully?
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
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Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)