Work Hard To Show The Results Of Your Salvation, Obeying God With Deep Reverence And Fear

PHILIPPIANS 2:12-16
“Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://bible.com/bible/114/php.2.16.NKJ

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Paul, writing to the church, said; "Work hard to show the results of your salvation," to rid themselves of complaints and disputes.
Since we are led by the same Spirit, it shouldn’t be so difficult, for we are one body and Jesus is the head (EPHESIANS 4:11).
The problem comes when we allow the flesh to take control; we find ourselves with selfish ambitions, lusts, and agendas that drag us into all kinds of sinful acts and ultimately separate us from God.
The Philippians needed to be especially careful to obey Christ because Paul wasn't always there to continually remind them about what was right.
Nothing has changed for us believers today; we must remain obedient at all times, not just when we are in assembly with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We must be careful about what we believe and how we live, especially when we are on our own in the absence of church leaders.
We are all responsible for our own salvation and actions; there will always be consequences for our actions, both good and evil.
Salvation is based on Christ’ righteousness, and our sins are already forgiven. But whist our sins will not undo our salvation, they will give the devil authority to attack our physical lives.
Furthermore, he is never far away, possibly residing in some of your brothers and sisters in Christ, looking for someone to devour (1 PETER 5:8).
Therefore, we must test and approve all things and stay focused and devoted to Christ so that we won't be sidetracked.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
God is not telling us to test the words spoken, but rather the source of the word, the spirit that brings it.
Often, a prophecy will be brought and it doesn’t sound right, but if it came from the Holy Spirit it is perfect and true.
But their were many false prophets back then and even more today that claim the name of Jesus Christ.
Paul tells us, that “Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered. “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭5‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬
However, whilst we must not reject prophecy, we must remain cautious, for their are many believers, including pastors and teachers, apostles, and evangelist who have the gift of the Holy Spirit, but are also demonised and influenced by demons within.
Therefore, it is not the man that we are to test, but the spirit that’s in them bringing the word.
God has not left us alone in our struggles; He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in us to lead and help us according to His will (JOHN 14:16-17).
He teaches us everything and reminds us of everything Jesus told us, (JOHN 14:26); He gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him (PHILIPPIANS 2:13); but we must cooperate with Him.
Therefore, make your focus of prayer in the Spirit, and ask God to reveal the truth.
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, we have all been held in bondage at some time or another. We have all experienced the roundabout of despair, struggling with life and sin of some kind.
But the secret to a changed life is to submit to God's control and break free from the devil’s hand.
To do that we must ask God to reveal what is holding us and be set free.
David, asked, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
David recognised that something evil was dwelling within and that he needed deliverance.
Paul too, he said, “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬-‭21‬, ‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬
Like David and Paul we must consider that we may need deliverance; to think that we cannot possibly be possessed in some way is not only pride, but very foolish, for most people are born demonised because of the sins of their ancestors (ROMANS 5:12-13).
Paul, gave us the answer, saying, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Demons are like sqatters, and through one’s sin, they have authority to enter in.
Your body is a home to them, and they are not exactly willing to leave voluntarily, especially when they have dwelled there for years.
But James tells us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
That is to say, submit to God. Repent of all sin turning from it and aligning oneself to His plans and purposes, and serving in obedience.
To rebuke the devil, is to verbally call him out and command him to leave in Jesus name, for even the demons are subject to us Spirit filled believers in Jesus name (LUKE 10:17), and then the devils will flee from you.
But be warned, one must remain close to God and free from sin, for Jesus said, ““When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭43‬-‭45‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Therefore, my beloved, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
It all sounds a bit complicated and difficult, but the truth is, it is God who brings change to how we think and behave, all we believers need do is cooperate with Him.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
It is then that we become more Christ like, living clean and innocent lives, and all knowing of God’s will in our lives, and therefore, shine bright for Christ.
To be like Christ, we must allow God to train us to think like Him and change our desires.
By submitting to His will and allowing the Spirit to work within us, He will change even the way we think and respond to situations.
Furthermore, since we believers are all led by the same Spirit to guide us and teach us, their becomes less and less excuses for arguing, complaining, division and gossip within the church, for we should all be united with one purpose within in the body of Christ.
For “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Arguments and division in our churches gives the wrong impression of Christ and the Good News; it shows a lack of the unifying power of Christ.
Therefore stand back from arguing and gossip, let those who are looking in see the love of Christ and the joy, contentment, and peace that comes from living in Him, for it is those things that will make non-believers hungry to know more and draw them to God.
That is what we are all called to do; to reach out to the lost souls that they may turn to God in repentance and receive the gift of life.
We all have a choice, to walk in the Spirit in service to God or in the lusts of the flesh.
The difference is blessings or curses, joy or sadness, and peace or despair.
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.