Work It Out!

Even the word "exercise" doesn't sound very inviting [to me] but certainly more inviting than " working out." Perhaps anything that has the word "work" in it can cause us to approach with caution. Writing to the Believers at Philippi, Paul said this: "Continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]." (Philippians 2:12, AMP). Living-out what we profess as Believer is ... well, yes, it's hard work! Our own sin-nature and the sin-nature of others are often like sandpaper - rough and tough resulting in unpleasant and unappealing situations. How easy (and natural) it is to just let the chips fall-where-they-may, applying the so-be-it to situations without further thought or effort. We all know what happens to a muscle from lack of use: it becomes weak and ineffective! So goes the faith of one who never exercises it, works it by applying the principles of God's Word. No, we absolutely will not "fix" every problem that comes at us but we learn this: "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God Who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." (V.13, AMP). His strength working in and through us in every flex of faith! Let's not be spiritually timid when it comes to the exercise of our faith ... work it out!