"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. "
Phil. 2;12-13
“… but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
Romans 8.13
Imagine these scenarios:
The phone rings, on the other end is an important client of yours. You and your employees have just finished renovating his home, and the client is now informing you that he is missing things, personal property, from his home. The possible fallout could ruin your reputation, your good name and integrity is at stake. The only possible person who had exposure and opportunity is a trusted employee and friend, a devout Christian who is actively involved in his congregation. Upon questioning him, he sheepishly admits stealing those items, but instead of coming clean, he lies about the circumstances, etc.
You turn on the news to see a breaking story about a prominent and trusted religious figure being accused of mismanaging his church's finances, or rampant rumors about his infidelity...
We have all seen the results of the wages of sin. Misdeeds of the body, orchestrated by a backslidden, proud, and/or arrogant mind, that has failed to take every vain, empty, and dark thought captive.
The scriptures say, "So as a man thinks, he becomes."
What is the result , the huge cost, to a person, to those around them, and even to those whom they don't personally know?
How weighty the concept: "WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING." It is one thing to be responsible for your own eternal destiny, how much moreso, how heavy the responsibility for the salvation of others, and the eternal consequences of having kept precious souls from entering into heaven, those who have been driven from the arms of the Savior because of the pain and hurt caused by the fall of one that was so close, so trusted, so dear to them?
Let us draw near to Him, zealously pursuing ownership of "the mind of Christ", and being conscious of our responsibilities as we work out our salvation daily...we are our brother's keepers.
There but for the grace of God goes each of us.
Phil. 2;12-13
“… but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
Romans 8.13
Imagine these scenarios:
The phone rings, on the other end is an important client of yours. You and your employees have just finished renovating his home, and the client is now informing you that he is missing things, personal property, from his home. The possible fallout could ruin your reputation, your good name and integrity is at stake. The only possible person who had exposure and opportunity is a trusted employee and friend, a devout Christian who is actively involved in his congregation. Upon questioning him, he sheepishly admits stealing those items, but instead of coming clean, he lies about the circumstances, etc.
You turn on the news to see a breaking story about a prominent and trusted religious figure being accused of mismanaging his church's finances, or rampant rumors about his infidelity...
We have all seen the results of the wages of sin. Misdeeds of the body, orchestrated by a backslidden, proud, and/or arrogant mind, that has failed to take every vain, empty, and dark thought captive.
The scriptures say, "So as a man thinks, he becomes."
What is the result , the huge cost, to a person, to those around them, and even to those whom they don't personally know?
How weighty the concept: "WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING." It is one thing to be responsible for your own eternal destiny, how much moreso, how heavy the responsibility for the salvation of others, and the eternal consequences of having kept precious souls from entering into heaven, those who have been driven from the arms of the Savior because of the pain and hurt caused by the fall of one that was so close, so trusted, so dear to them?
Let us draw near to Him, zealously pursuing ownership of "the mind of Christ", and being conscious of our responsibilities as we work out our salvation daily...we are our brother's keepers.
There but for the grace of God goes each of us.
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