Jump Start # 697

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure

Yesterday, our passage stated that the disciples were “taught by God.” Our verse today tells us that God is at work in us. That is helpful to know. That reveals some interesting thoughts for us to consider.

First, God is not finished with His work, nor is He finished with you. Sometimes it is easy to think that once the Bible was written, God went into retirement. No more walls to knock down like at Jericho, no more seas to part, like Moses did at the Red Sea, no more sun to stand still like for Joshua. No more prison doors to open as with Paul. Those make great and powerful lessons, but though things are of the past. Because the age of miracles has past, it is easy to assume that God has gone into hibernation. His work is finish. He is just waiting. How untrue those thoughts are. God is at work. God continues to be at work. He works in YOU. Our verse reminds us that God is still active. God’s work is not finished, not yet.

Second, our verse reminds us that it is neither God who does it all, nor is it us, who do it all. But together, much like a team, or better yet, as in a fellowship, God works with us. He uses us to accomplish His will. The song, “The World’s Bible” reminds us that  we are God’s hands, feet and eyes. We can only work with God when we do things His way. It is His  salvation and His will in these things. When folks leave the Bible and begin establishing and doing things that are not found in the Bible, do you think that God remains with them and works with them, in endeavors that are not according to His pattern? That won’t happen. When man leaves God’s way, he works alone. God is not working with that person. Sobering thoughts to remind us of the importance of following God’s will.

Thirdly, what God  is after is the completion of His  will. His agenda  is  spiritual. His goal is Heaven. God doesn’t work in us to get us raises, trophies, recognition or praise. God’s will is not about our egos, our pride, nor our self esteem. His  will is for all to be saved (2 Pet 3:9). God  works in us to fulfill that. By walking with God through the Bible, we learn, we become, and we conquer. This is what God is working toward in your life. It’s not a bigger house, that God is after, but bigger hearts. It’s not more stuff, but more souls. God  wants you to be  close  to Him.

Fourth, our verse reminds us that we are not alone. God is there. God is working with us. God has doors to open that are  locked to us. God can do things that no one  else can. The  journey of going into all the world is scary and a huge task to take on. Alone—it is nearly impossible. With God, all things are possible. God has shown this time and time before.

It’s time to get to work—spiritual work. God is waiting to work with you. There is much to be done, but with God, much can be accomplished!

Roger