Life’s hard. You want to make it, you’re gonna need plenty of guts.”
–John Deacon (Lobo–3)
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”
–Philippians 3:13(NIV)
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I want to throw a few thoughts your way this morning. Let’s look first at Philippians 2:12, the second portion: “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” (NIV) Do not get confused or worried regarding your “born again” experience. We do not work for salvation, but after we are saved we do works; we continue to grow in grace. With fear means to serve God with reverence and respect. Now add the “trembling” meaning that we are to recognize who God is, His power, His infinite works. We are to work for Him in the great service of the nature of the work He has given us to do.
The Christian life is to be one of joy, so it is not fear in regard to anxiety or worry. This life that He has given us is an adventure, good and bad, a “voyage of discovery” (Beggs). Paul is also not referring to doing good works, but he is referring to how we respond to our salvation that is already ours in Christ. “He is not telling us how to be saved people but how to live as saved people. Once we understand that, we are in a position to act upon Paul’s instruction.” (Begg)
Now how to do it? There are many answers here and many books have been written about it and I’m sure many more will be. I want to look at only one aspect of working out your salvation and that is the call to consistency. We must call upon His name daily to live a consistent Christian life. John writes, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (15:14, NIV) Simple, straightforward statement by our Lord. Again, this is a study in itself–how do we live a consistent life?
One way we are consistent, and that includes being obedient, is to pick up our cross and follow Him. Oh, me, a cross to bear? Yes, absolutely. “This is not an optional extra in the Christian life; it is intrinsic to it. The daily cross–yes we are to pick it up and bear it daily. It is not just a “feel like it event,” or once in a while, but a daily occurence. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24, NIV) Luke records it this way, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (9:23, NIV)
I would ask that you think of those thoughts: denying self, picking up your cross, following Jesus. Take time to ponder them, and I’ll close with this from Lois A. Cheney–God Is No Fool.
I asked some young people if they would give up and sacrifice themselves, if Christ were to call them, now, today. They were serious awhile, fidgeted, and answered awkwardly that they were tied to their homes; their parents wouldn’t understand; and they felt this had to wait until they were older and could make their own decisions.
I heard a young man being asked concerning his religious convictions. He looked alternately embarrassed and irritated. He answered with long detail of how active his wife was in the church; and how his kids went to Sunday school nearly every Sunday. He was relieved when his questioner left him. His eyes followed him with accusation.
I heard a young woman being asked to dedicate a portion of her time to needed Christian works. The eyebrows arched sharply and the replies came quickly in staccato rhythm. In rapid succession she listed her civic duties; her responsibilities to her children; and she concluded with reference to her husband putting his foot down about her many, too many, activities.
I heard an elderly person being asked to declare and dedicate his life in a special Christian manner. He snorted and snapped that it was the younger people’s job. He’d done his work in his day, and he’d earned a rest.
The cross is a lonely place. Even Christ didn’t pick it up quickly and easily.
He waits for others to do it
And He waits…
And He waits…