No Grumbling ...

Tuesday, Nov 8, 2016. How does faith work? How is it to believe and what does it mean? What is happening when you believe? The New Testament takes us into a life where faith reigns. This is quite exciting. Let us look into some more details of what the apostle Paul writes about life in faith!

Work out your Salvation …

The New Testament proclaims salvation in Christ Jesus. It comes through faith. It comes to you when you come to believe in him. Yet, it is to be “worked out” in your life, through your decisions, your actions, your works … Paul writes:

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. (from Philippians 2)

Paul commands his fellow Christians to be blameless children of God in the midst of a twisted generation. Yet, we also have to see that we are part of this generation. Our own habits, our own deeds prove us to be lost with our old self. At the same time, in Christ we are made new, and his spirit comes into our body to be there all the time! The fight is within us, in the first place.

Rely on Prayer …

I think that we cannot manage to do what Paul commands us to do without the power of the holy spirit. We cannot do it out of our own power - we are just too deeply stuck in the stuff which is not leading anywhere. We are just too much used to a worldly behavior. We need him, Christ himself!

At the same time, he is there. Christ is there. He promised his holy spirit. He promised his help. He promised to be there until the end of the world. And he is there. His spirit helps, and he himself is the bright light which can help us with every word, with every step. But we need to ask him to act. We need to ask him to help.

So the only thing I know is to rely on prayer and to rely on him. Lord, Jesus, please help. We are powerless, we are weak, we are stuck in our old self. But you are fantastic, you are our healer, you are the eternal savior, the lion and the lamb. Please come and help, please hold us, please guide us by your spirit and your power. Amen. (Roland Potthast) ... more texts